The assessment that "we have a titanic struggle and that we must give a great battle so that the people of Famagusta can return to their city and prevent the events that have been taking place recently around the city", expressed tonight the new Mayor of the occupied Famagusta Simos Ioannou.
In his first statements as Mayor of Famagusta, after the percentage of 48,94% or 4.697 votes he received in today's by-elections, Simos Ioannou stated that "for me it is a great task that I undertake after the untimely death of the late Alexis Galanos. I want to thank all the people of Famagusta and Famagusta who honored me with their vote ", his family who supported him in this fight and all those who went to the polls and voted for his opponents.
He added that "certainly the attendance rate was not as expected but there are some special conditions, namely the summer holidays and the great heat. However, as the Mayor and the Municipal Council, we will see this issue and we will take all the necessary actions so that the people of Famagusta come closer to their city and the City Hall ".
Mr. Ioannou also thanked "all the parties, AKEL, DIKO, the Citizens' Alliance and DIPA, which supported me and all the voters from the other parties who gave me their vote. I also want to thank my rivals with whom we had a civilized election campaign and to be sure that I will take advantage of their love for Famagusta. "
Asked about the percentage of votes he received, almost 50%, the Mayor of Famagusta expressed the belief that "the unity of Famagusta contributed to this and it seems that my course in 26 years in the Municipality convinced the voters of Famagusta that I can represent. I believe that I will look worthy, not only of the almost 50% that I received but also of the 100% of the voters who went to the polls, even those who did not go to the polls, believing that the Municipality of Famagusta does not have the capacity to respond ".
He added that "we have a titanic struggle, we must fight a great battle so that the people of Famagusta can return to the city and prevent the events that have been taking place around Famagusta lately. However, in order for this to happen, we must all be united because with discord we will not be able to achieve anything. "
Asked about tomorrow, Simos Ioannou replied that "we are starting a race that I believe will be dynamic. The City Hall has done a lot of things so far "he said and expressed the conviction that" from now on we will continue what the late Alexis Galanos and the previous Mayors did and we will add our own position to this great effort ".
For his part, Nikos Karoullas, who received 26,23% or 2.518 votes, said that from the beginning he had stated that "together we can hope and so together we will continue".
He added that he had already spoken with Simos Ioannou since, as he explained, "we have been friends for years and I will be by his side in the effort to return to our city and reunite our homeland. There is no problem nor is there any difference between us, since we have a common goal and a common vision and no one is left out in this effort ".
It is noted that Simos Ioannou immediately after the announcement of the final results went to the offices of the Famagusta District Administration in Larnaca accompanied by several of his supporters.
Source: Philenews / KYPE