His duties were officially assumed by the new Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou.
Hosted on Protoselidos, he mentioned that going from the field of journalism to the field of politics is something different. "On Monday I had a proposal from the President of the Republic. It was a difficult decision for me. The President's proposal was honorable. He called me and told me to go to the Presidential office."
He added that the President gave him time to think about it. “I discussed it at home, worked it out within myself and felt ready to say yes. The lines are distinct and I understand what it means to be on the opposite side."
Mr. Antoniou mentioned that during the meeting he had with the President he asked him for one thing. "I'm not going to say things I don't believe. The President respected that."
He pointed out that "if you cross to the other side, there is no going back. "I no longer ask, I simply answer."
He clarified that he felt ready for this change. "In the past, I had such proposals from other political parties and I was not ready. I lived through the heyday of the press. Now I live the decline and it saddens me."
He explained that the Deputy has specific duties. "I am in the communication team of the Presidency and the Government. I want to help the President, the Government and my country as much as I can. People have expectations and demands."
Speaking about all that happened with Doxa Komodromou, he said that a big mistake was made. "Doxa was wronged and I told her that she also wronged herself. With the experience she had in journalism she should be more suspicious."
He added that there is a perception of civil servants. "To get overtime you have to justify where you were. There is also the fear of the Audit Service, which is putting pressure."
Then he talked about the moments he keeps from journalism. "At 7:00 in the morning I was at a murder scene in Limassol and at 8:00 in Amathus because the blessed Cleridis was going to speak. I got journalism in hand, whereas now you take a picture and the whole world sees it."
In addition, he also mentioned the man who played a decisive role in his decision. "It was the Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Ioannou. We have been working together lately. He convinced me that politics is something practical. In cases where there were extremes, he made politics seem simple."
Finally, he mentioned that his family told him to do what he wants and that they will be by his side.
Source: Sigmalive