The chapter on presidential elections may not have been officially opened for AKEL yet, but Ezekia Papaionnou made sure to send early messages to those who may consider them a scapegoat for the election campaign and given a selection of candidates.
Contrary to the belief that has been cultivated in some circles, even within the party, that AKEL can not or does not want to hit hard in the next election battle, in the party offices and especially in the high rooms, a completely different perception prevails.
The reason is that they know very well that any mishandling and decisions that will send the wrong messages to the party supporters, may have painful consequences for the party. In fact, party officials point out that after the historically low percentages recorded by AKEL in the last elections, the Left party does not have the luxury of receiving a new electoral slap. They also know that a Mala press choice in the previous presidential election, which was characterized as a defeat choice, can not be repeated as it puts water in the mill of those who try to pass the message that AKEL will make room for Nikos Anastasiadis for re-election.
Information from the offices of Hezekiah Papaionnou states that the position of the party leadership is clear that AKEL wants and will fight for a change in the government of the place. What, moreover, Andros Kyprianou mentioned in his statements is that AKEL in the presidential elections will in any case be against Nikos Anastasiadis.
At the same time, however, this does not mean that AKEL will simply be the climbing vehicle in the power of any candidate. The reports of the General Secretary of the party last Friday had a clear and unequivocal acceptance of the president of DIKO, Nikola Papadopoulos, who -as all the information states- will be a candidate for the presidential elections. The exclusion of AKEL from the dialogue that authorized the Executive Office of DIKO Nikolas Papadopoulos to start, particularly bothered Hezekiah Papaionou.
According to the information, the annoyance has not so much to do with the exclusion from any cooperation, but with the fact that some take it for granted that they will pass to the second round of the elections, leaving out the AKEL candidate. So, in essence, they will bring it before the events as in the dilemma of Anastasiadis or another in the second round, AKEL could never say "Anastasiadis".
That is why Andros Kyprianou hastened to state last week that those who take AKEL support in the second round for granted are mistaken. The most important thing, however, is the mention that these people should not consider themselves confident in the second round because they will not be. An indication, which -as indicated by AKEL circles- has a tail, because it may eventually be a decisive criterion in the selection of the person by AKEL.
In Hezekiah Papaionnou they know that they have both the mechanisms and the experience to succeed as a party to succeed around a strong personality, a high percentage of mobilization. When they talk about rallies, in fact, they do not have the percentages in the last parliamentary elections as a point of reference, but rather above. Therefore, in such a case, there is no question as to whether or not the AKEL candidate will be in the second round.
A decisive factor, according to the information, is the pressure exerted on the party leadership by voters who demand a victory candidacy from their party, either from party circles or from the wider Left. Many simple members of AKEL, even with their posts on social media, state that they do not want their party to play the role of accomplice in this electoral contest and even more, they do not want to find themselves in a dilemma on the second Sunday of the elections. .
NOT BEFORE SUMMER
The scene will be completed after the decision of AKEL, which is not expected to lock before the summer. Despite the various scenarios and the nomenclature that has been developed, the reality is that there is nothing prescribed so far at AKEL. "Different names are said or discussed in the corridors. But officially nothing has been set. So nothing can be ruled out. The only sure thing is that we will not play anyone's game ", said a source from AKEL.
It is obvious that the party of the Left knows very well how the pre-election marathon has started to take shape and they are preparing accordingly. The timing of the start of pre-Easter after Easter is important. Firstly, by then it will finally clarify whether or not there is a possibility of removing the impasse or taking any initiative in the Cyprus issue and secondly until then the course of the so-called intermediate space with the four or five parties will have been specified and depending with one or two candidates. Then it will be time for everything to be weighed in order to make a decision on who will paddle on behalf of AKEL for the Presidential. Until then, however, a key question must be answered: Does AKEL want to govern again at the moment or will it simply suffice in qualifying its candidate in the second round of elections, simply to avoid finding itself in the dilemma of Anastasiadis or someone else, especially if this other is Nikolas Papadopoulos.
Anastasiadis, Nikolas, Lillikas at the starting point for the 2018 elections
The data so far have created a scenario with three potential candidates for the presidency of the Republic. Nikos Anastasiadis is considered beyond certainty that he will claim re-election. That is why DISY "leaned back", simply waiting for the official announcement from Nikos Anastasiadis himself. In any case, the search for collaborations is not considered a feasible goal at this stage. Some in Pindarou consider that they have the confidence of the absolute favorite for the second round, when then the corresponding moves will be made. Others, of course, are unhappy with the choices and political positions of the leadership that they believe will have a cost in Anastasiadis' re-election bid.
In DIKO, although they officially avoid stating it, they consider almost a given a candidacy of Nikola Papadopoulos who will have the support of the other parties of the so-called intermediary, except the Alliance. Circles from the environment of the president of DIKO state that it is simply a matter of time before the formalization of his decision to claim the presidency. In fact, they suggest that preliminary contacts have already been made with the other parties. His presence at the Solidarity political conference yesterday wanted to send some messages.
The candidacy of George Lillikas must also be considered a given, although in order to avoid strong reactions at this stage, it suspends its announcement. An Alliance official typically stated that "things have already taken their course".
Source: Liberal