Filenews 13 February 2023 - by ostas Venizelou
The victory of Nikos Christodoulides in the presidential elections sets a new scene in Cyprus. In the election, Nikos Christodoulides managed to win both major parties, DISY and AKEL. He knocked out the DISY candidate and won that of AKEL in the final contest. The momentum of Christodoulides' candidacy was maintained until the end and showed that society has "escaped" from party silos and chooses by other criteria. When a candidate, who initially embarks on a lonely path (then was supported by parties), has to deal with two powerful mechanisms and manages to win the elections, then clearly the evaluation of the result will have to be made on the basis of these new data. Reading the result shows that Christodoulides' victory will bring about differences in the political scene while at the same time raising the bar for him, as the expectations of the citizens are high.
So, what does yesterday's result mean in relation to the next day of the political forces and the country?
Firstly, between the first and second rounds of the presidential elections, a series of events arise that need to be analysed. Members of the Democratic Rally appeared to support Andreas Mavrogiannis in practice. This refers to a logic of the need to preserve the two large poles, through underground understandings. The behaviour of some of the leadership of DISY was not only the result of bitterness, but also of a political strategy to support the other great pole.
Bipolarity favours both parties. A percentage of 40% of DISY voters, who voted for Averoff Neophytou, in the second round supported Andreas Mavrogiannis. A significant percentage, but not enough, majority to bring about reversals. It is clear that such electoral behaviour sends out signals that there are no ideological taboos, red lines may have faded in the past. Executives also supported Nikos Christodoulides, who was politically considered closer to the party and therefore the electoral behaviour is assessed differently. In the midst of all this, of course, it should be noted the statements made yesterday by Averoff Neophytou, that his party "will be next to whoever is elected because the prosperity and the future of the country are important".
Secondly, the entry of Andreas Mavrogiannis in the second round of the presidential election, gave breathing space to AKEL. The high percentage confirms on the one hand that it was a good choice, which managed to garner percentages higher than the partisan ones. Stefanos Stefanou, in his first election as leader of the party, recorded high percentages through the candidate. At the same time, however, yesterday was the third consecutive election, that AKEL has not won. Defeat does not change whether it is marginal or not. What counts is that for a third five-year period, the party will be out of power. And this raises an issue about how AKEL can return to the executive. With a choice of "good right" or with its own autonomous descent? In the big picture is also the policy of partnerships, which shapes prospects for winning elections.
Stefanos Stefanou, however, has announced in time a congress for changes in the party, which is scheduled for the autumn. All these issues will obviously be discussed. It is about being able to change things and situations.
Thirdly, the parties in the intermediate space must be satisfied with the result, as for the first time, it was won by a candidate whom they supported, without one of the major parties being in the equation of cooperation. The question is how to manage this development next.
The elections were won by a new generation politician, while his election closes the circle of old politicians. It is obvious that Nikos Christodoulides will not have a grace period, as the problems "run" and are pressing. His first political act will be the appointment of his ministers and associates. This is an important decision in the sense that it will give the signal of his intentions on how he perceives the management of the state. He has stated that he will not follow the beaten path. It will not enter into the logic of sharing power with the parties.
Two diplomats in the final battle and the... tradition
In the race for the presidential election, two diplomats faced off. The foreign ministry has a tradition of this. The claim to the Presidency of the Republic. Spyros Kyprianou was the first to move from ministry to presidential. Giorgos Iacovou, Yiannakis Kasoulides and Giorgos Lilikas contested but did not win an election. Nikos Christodoulides and Andreas Mavroyiannis, who worked together as diplomats, but also during the Presidency of Cyprus in the European Union, fought to the end, as they secured the ticket for yesterday's second round. Nikos Christodoulides is the second Foreign Minister, who moves across the street, to the hill of the Presidential.
