The three parliamentary parties that support the government of President Tassos Papadopoulos have continued their separate discussions, as prospective candidates ponder on announcing their bid for Februarys presidential elections.
The main coalition government partner left wing AKEL voted Wednesday by an overwhelming majority to propose its General Secretary Demetris Christofias, President of the House of Representatives, to the party extraordinary congress on Sunday as its candidate for the presidency. The congress will take the party final decision on the matter.
The centre right Democratic Party (DIKO), formerly headed by Papadopoulos, decided unanimously on Wednesday to back Papadopoulos in his bid for re-election, which he is expected to announce sometime soon.
The other coalition partner, Social Democrats Movement EDEK, ratified on Wednesday a Central Committee decision to back Papadopoulos in February next year.
So far there are only two candidacies for the presidency. Former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, who is backed by the main opposition party Democratic Rally, and former Agriculture Minister Costas Themistocleous.
However, it has become all but clear that Christofias and Papadopoulos are set to announce their respective candidacies in the days ahead.
AKEL Central Committee backed Christofias candidacy by 85 votes in favour, 12 against and three abstentions, party spokesman Andros Kyprianou said at midnight Wednesday, after an eight hour marathon Committee meeting.
He said the party Political Bureau recommendation to contest the elections with Christofias, on behalf of the three coalition partners, was presented to Wednesdays meeting, in addition to party grass roots decisions about the elections.
AKEL participates in the government with four ministers (foreign, interior, communications and health) who are widely expected to leave their posts, should Christofias announce his candidacy for the presidency.
DIKO President Marios Karoyian told the press last night after a Central Committee meeting that Papadopoulos candidacy on behalf of the three coalition partners would all but ensure only one round of elections, that would certainly result in a resounding victory of the tri-partite coalition.
EDEK spokesman Demetris Papadakis said that the party Political Bureau reviewed the outcome of local and district party meetings and ratified the Central Committee proposal to back Papadopoulos.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
