Filenews 16 September 2023 - by Frixos Dalitis
Andreas Vyras and Phedon Phedonos. One in Larnaka and the other in Paphos are a point of reference for party processes ahead of local government elections, but for different reasons. Their candidacy, however, is a barometer of how alliances and other candidacies may ultimately move.
Andreas Vyras is expected to reclaim the mayoralty of Larnaka, given the support of AKEL, from which he comes. His candidacy intention makes it difficult for DISY-DIKO to cooperate for the city of Zenon. Although various thoughts and exercises are taking place on paper, it seems that within DIKO there are several voices in favour of supporting Andreas Vyras.
Under these circumstances, it is not excluded that the possibility of an AKEL-DIKO cooperation for this municipality may also enter into the equation. Among the scenarios circulating for Larnaka municipality is the candidacy of Stavros Michael, president of the HIO, with the support of DISY-DIKO. In the district of Larnaka is also the case of the new municipality of Lefkara in which communities of the area have been integrated. The current mayor of Lefkara and former MP for EDEK Sophocles Sophocleous is expected to run for mayor of the new municipality as well. This municipality will be, according to information, one of the municipalities that EDEK wants to maintain and will claim in any collaborations that are made.
Phedon Phedonos is expected to run for election again in the municipality of Pafos. In that case it would be very difficult for the Democratic Rally to make any other choice. At the same time, however, it is difficult to cooperate with DIKO, which does not favour support for Phaedon. The name of Pafos District Officer Mary Lambrou sounds strongly as a possible joint candidacy of DISY, DIKO and perhaps DEA. Whether it goes ahead, however, also depends on what happens in the case of the current mayor. At some point, the name of former DISY MP Kostakis Constantinou was heard as interested in the mayoralty, further complicating the situation. Other reports suggest that he is running for president of the Provincial Council. A position for which former DIKO MP Charalambos Pittokopitis seems to be interested.
As far as the new municipality of East Pafos is concerned, we hear the names of the mayor of Geroskipou municipality, Kyriakos Hadjivassilis, as well as Nikos Palios, cultural worker in the municipality of Pafos, who has already announced his interest.
In the municipality of Polis Chrysochous, it is expected that Yiotis Papachristofi, who comes from DIKO, will run again. This municipality seems to be claimed by EDEK with Pafos MP Ilias Myrianthous.
>> Famagusta's difficult...
Things are still quite complicated in the case of the Famagusta district. Famagusta Mayor Simos Ioannou is likely to run for re-election. However, the name of deputy mayor Chrysanthos Zanettos is also heard as a possible candidate. For the municipality of the occupied city, the name of the former Deputy Minister of Culture Yiannis Toumazis was heard at some point. DISY is also discussing the name of former Famagusta NLG president George Mavroudis. What is certain is that this municipality will be claimed in one way or another by the two major parties DISY and AKEL.
Does Achilles maintain the theme?
Achilleas Dimitriadis, who was a guest on CyBC radio yesterday, was asked about the meeting he had with AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou and the possibility of cooperation between the two sides in the local elections. "I had contacts last Tuesday with a delegation of AKEL and it seems that it is a new page after the Presidential Elections," he said, clarifying that the whole issue is under discussion, "although I do not see it happening." "It needs thinking, we will evaluate it, we will see," he said.
Achilles' brother Constantinos Demetriades announced his candidacy for Nicosia municipality. "I will submit my candidacy, as an independent, candidate for Mayor of Nicosia, in the upcoming Mayoral Elections.
My father, Lellos Demetriades, served as Mayor of Nicosia for 31 consecutive years, without receiving a salary, something I will do if I am elected Mayor of Nicosia. I will hold a press conference in the near future where I will announce my program," he said in a statement.
