Frixos Dalitis
The Central Committee of AKEL largely determined the framework on which it will move, having as a priority the cooperation with the opposition parties for the presidential elections. The main points of reference are the intention to exclude the presidents of the parties but also the fact that while the name of Averof Neophytos and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulidis is excluded as expected, at the same time they keep the door open for George Pamporidis. His name is maintained in discussions as a possible candidate of AKEL, despite the strong reactions that seem to provoke in the party base and which were transferred on Saturday to the Central Committee.
The ball is now in the side of the Democratic Party. Crucial is the conference next Sunday during which all the data as presented at the moment will be presented to the party members. The issue that arises after the meeting of the Central Committee, of course, is the intention to exclude party leaders and therefore the name of Nikolas Papadopoulos automatically leaves the table. From DIKO's point of view, what is being established is that they want to keep warm the effort for cooperation for the presidential elections with the opposition parties and of course the first in the equation is AKEL as the largest. This explains in a first analysis the reports of party officials that “the name of Nikolas Papadopoulos is not a red line for us”. Therefore, they do not close the door to the exclusion of party leaders from the beginning. In this context, however, they note that they should listen to what exists as a proposal from the other side, putting down the criteria that this candidacy should have. That is, to be able to convince the people of both parties, to have the quality characteristics required and to have eligibility.
According to information, in the context of the informal contacts that Nikolas Papadopoulos had with Stefanos Stefanou, a hint was made by the latter that it would be good if they did not enter the process of putting the names of party leaders on the table in order to facilitate the cooperation effort. As a result, they were more or less prepared for AKEL's intention to raise the issue of the exclusion of party leaders. On the part of Hezekiah Papaioannou, they are not vertical on this issue, noting that this is not a decision but an intention to exclude party leaders.
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At the same time, however, DIKO keeps open the door to cooperation with the other opposition parties, indicating that the opposition is not only AKEL. This shows that yes, there is the good will to exhaust the margins of cooperation with AKEL, but they also send the message that there is an alternative to another cooperation. In this case, the name of Nikos Christodoulidis enters the equation, which a portion of executives favors for support. Our information, however, states that the leadership of the party is not warm either for the case of George Pamporidis who plays as a screenwriter on the side of AKEL, nor for the case of Nikola Papadopoulos. The ideal scenario for DIKO from the moment would not be Nikolas Papadopoulos candidate, if he were a third person who could cover the concerns of the major opposition parties, also keeping the door open for the other opposition parties in the context. a wider cooperation. At the present stage, out of discussion for DIKO is the name of DISY president Averof Neophytou, as it was found in the context of local and provincial rallies held from summer until the end of autumn, there is a strong reaction from party members. Nikolas Papadopoulos himself, in his interview with “Politis” on Sunday, stated that he was talking to Stefanos Stefanou and not to Averof Neophytou.
In any case, the scenario of Nikola Papadopoulos's candidacy remains on the table, either in an autonomous descent of DIKO in the presidential elections, or in the scenario of a collaboration with smaller opposition parties. All this will be formed as an image next Sunday in the context of the party's political congress, during which the views of delegates will be heard and it will be clear which options the party leadership can negotiate.
Annoyed by Peace
Stefanos Stefanou in public statements expressed a dissatisfaction for the MP of his party Irini Charalambidou, who has taken a public position against the possibility of support for George Pamporidis from AKEL. Speaking on RIK radio, the AKEL secretary general stated that placements were made incorrectly and that they had searched for it. As he characteristically said, the party has procedures and first of all it discusses with itself. “If the secretary general or any prominent executive starts to say publicly his preference, reflection and thought, then we will not have a party but pieces,” he said. He also noted that the announcement made after the meeting of the Central Committee, reminds that the New Forces have a role in this process for the presidential elections. He added that the New Forces have autonomy but autonomy does not mean that it reaches a point where the party is difficult and this is clear to everyone.
Stefanos Stefanou expressed the position that AKEL wants to lay the groundwork for cooperation with other parties in order for this government to leave and for a framework for change to be created. He also said that they will discuss with all the opposition parties to see his thoughts and approaches on all issues.
Also noteworthy was the report of Stefanos Stefanos on the radio of “Politis” when asked about votes in favor of a leftist candidacy. As he said, the only time that AKEL followed this path was in 2008 with Dimitris Christofias.
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They turn on the engines and slowly enter the depths of the election campaign. In Pindarou, they are already counting down for the meeting of the party's Supreme Council, which is scheduled for March 12. At the Supreme Council, which is expected to be given a festive atmosphere, the process of the Democratic Alarm will be formally completed, officially giving the anointing of the candidate for the presidential elections to Averof Neophytou. The President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, will also be present in his capacity as a member of the party to the Supreme Council, as he has stated in public statements. Who, as we are informed, will also have a speech.
