It was an election campaign without tensions, controversies and given the high abstention, without much interest however the result has sent clear messages, which should be interpreted by the party staffs in the coming days. AKEL candidate Simos Ioannou, having on the side of DIKO, DIPA and the Citizens' Alliance is the new mayor of Famagusta receiving 49% and leaving far behind his DISY candidate Nikos Karoullas who received 26,22%. Given the high result of Mr. Ioannou, AKEL already hopes that this may be the beginning, not only of renewed cooperation with the parties of the Center, but also of the recovery of the Left. DISY expected the defeat from the beginning, but certainly not the specific percentage and such a big difference. It is not ruled out that a discussion on the option has already started, as it seems that the Alarms have split between Karoullas and Lordos. The large percentage of abstention that reached 70% in a particularly critical period for the Cyprus issue and especially for Famagusta should not be omitted from the frame. The percentage received by ELAM, which in relation to 2016, seems to receive almost twice the percentage, also causes a sensation.
They see recovery
In Hezekiah Papaioannou, smiles were spread, not only for the victory of Mr. Ioannou but also for the percentage of 49% that he received. AKEL has long noted that the recapture of the Famagusta town hall is of particular importance to the party. Not because he had the first place for years in the Municipality, but also because of the developments that are intertwined with the announcements of Ozersay for the enclosed city. It is recalled that in June there was a mobilization of the Famagusta people outside the Presidential Palace, sending a call to the President to give priority to Famagusta. AKEL considers that this result is a message and a slap in the face for the government and its handling in the Cypriot issue and in general. In this way, it is considered that the appropriate pressure will be exerted on the President for Famagusta, at a time when developments are expected again. The whole issue, of course, does not remain in the town hall for AKEL but it takes extensions. There are party officials who aspire that this victory will be the beginning of a recovery for the Left. And for the percentages of the party but also in the issue of collaborations with other parties. The fact that the cooperation with the intermediate space has borne fruit this time, is considered to help the conciliation and the consultations for possible collaborations in the future.
However, it is not ruled out that there will be discussions within DISY in the coming days for the selection of the candidate
Embarrassment at DISY
At the same time that AKEL is celebrating the result, DISY is relatively embarrassed. The defeat was considered a given according to executives, but not the percentage received by the party. Already speaking on the state channel, the Famagusta MP Onoufrios Koula aptly sent the message that the Famagusta people chose their candidates and not the DISY headquarters. Alarm wanted in every way to avoid the electoral process and to proceed with a common candidacy. Not only because of the critical developments taking place in the Cyprus issue, but also because, according to party circles, he may have received the dissatisfaction of the people of Famagusta from the government's manipulations. After the withdrawal of Pavlos Anastasiadis, Pindarou supported to promote the vote at will. A position that the provincial did not accept, supporting the party's municipal councilor Nikos Karoullas.
The truth, however, is that the top pyramid kept clear distances from the whole electoral process. For example, the President of DISY did not appear at joint events with Mr. Karoullas, while the same policy was followed by the Vice President and according to the statute, the head of the election campaign, Lefteris Christoforou. This was seen by some as an attempt by the leadership not to give an election note and therefore confrontation at a critical time for the Cypriot period. For others, an attempt not to be associated with the electoral defeat.
However, it is not ruled out that there will be discussions within DISY in the coming days for the selection of the candidate. This is because the percentage of Andreas Lordos - one of the candidates from DISY - who received 16,24% was not considered negligible, sending the message that the Alarm was split between the two candidates. Although some party officials point out that there should be no partisanship in this electoral contest given that this is a peculiar case, there are many who are concerned about the possibility of isolation and weakening of the party. From the whole electoral contest, however, the percentage received by the ELAM candidate Linos Papagiannis should not be ignored. Compared to 2016 when ELAM received 3,3% today the party receives 6,22%. In fact, in the province of Paphos, Mr. Papagiannis came second in crosses of preference.
Voted beach…
However, the high percentage of abstention also caused a sensation, as only 30% of the candidates went to the polls. Apart from the fact that the election contest took place in the summer, with most of them absent on vacation, the polling stations were limited. Out of a total of 31.584 registered voters, 9.707 voters or 30,73% voted. Valid ballots amounted to 9.598 (98,88%), invalid ballots to 59 (0,61%) and blank ballots to 50 (0,52%). The abstention amounted to 21.877 voters or 69,27%. 250 voters voted by special authorization. The announcement of the new Mayor of Famagusta will take place tomorrow at 12 noon, at the Cultural Center of occupied Famagusta in Deryneia.
Source: Kathimerini
