• From ’23 to ’26, a campaign on the road

• A new “party” is born in Cyprus

• Christodoulides and Guterres in fast forward

• Watch out, “Filippa” is coming with a fierce attitude

Good morning, everyone. I don’t know, have you heard anything about the trilateral meeting in New York? From what I hear, some people stayed up all night anxiously hoping that even something small would come of it, because otherwise they’ll have made such a mess of their handling of the situation that starting tomorrow they won’t know what to say. Is that right, Averoff?

• By the way, have you noticed that a new “party” is gradually emerging in Cyprus? These are the “retirees” of the political parties who refuse to go home and are seeking their future (whatever’s left of it) in other corridors of power. Nikos Katsouridis was the first to do so; after leaving AKEL, he found a safe haven in the Office of the President. Next came Nikos Tornaritis, who—what a coincidence—also found his next career path through the presidency. And now Averof, who says he’ll run—even alone—for the presidency. Do you think Christodoulides will find a role for him too and finally clear the air?

• Averof Neophytou had previously compared himself to a shark, in contrast to Christodoulides, who—according to him—was a goldfish. Today, however, he resembles more of a cuttlefish squirting ink. I don’t know if he means all the hints he’s dropping about running independently in the presidential election, but if he goes through with it, the only person he’ll be proving right is the “splitter” Nicos Christodoulides. Does Averof remember what he was saying in 2022–2023 during his major clash with the current President? He himself was the “original DISY candidate,” and the other was the defector. “Christodoulides has the right to run for the presidency, but as a DISY official, he must do so through DISY’s democratic/internal party procedures; he cannot bypass the party and run as an independent candidate while remaining a member of SYN,” he said. So, what’s Averof up to now?

• Personally, I don’t believe Averof will run as an independent in the elections. For now, he’s playing a game of pressure and blackmail, but when the critical moment arrives, he may choose not to even run in the party’s internal primary. Unless, of course, his pride has clouded his judgment and he wants to play the role of Cyprus’s Antonis Samaras.

• The truth is that Anita didn’t behave properly either. Averof’s inner circle insists that the current DISY president had promised the former president that she would support him for the presidential nomination if he managed to get her re-elected as SpeakerAverof did his part, spending day and night with Pheidias to convince him, and, in the end, Anita broke her promise. The “man’s man” has a history with DISY.

• Just when Nikolas Papadopoulos and Nikos Christodoulides were at loggerheads, Makis Keravnos came along to add fuel to the fire. Mark my words: this coalition government won’t last very long. The President may have short-circuited the DIKO with the reshuffle, but the upper echelons of Griva Digeni are literally boiling over. Close associates of Nikolas are desperately searching for a “third option,” without success so far.

• On the other hand, Andreas Mavroyiannis has made it abundantly clear that he will be a candidate. He even got his hands on a poll showing him coming in first in the first round of the presidential election under every scenario, and he came out celebrating. My friend Andreas, the problem isn’t the first round. The problem is what will happen in the second round, which determines the President. And let me tell you that this is what’s on the minds of AKEL’s leadership, and they remain cautious about your candidacy. Wait a bit until we see the polls and second-round scenarios (soon), and then we’ll talk again.

• But let’s also touch on the Cyprus issue. As we said, it’s New York week, and as soon as the President arrived there, he spoke again about the possibility of significant developments. What’s the point of constantly announcing major developments only to be proven wrong? He does, however, manage to create a certain impression through some media outlets. The day before yesterday, I was reading the “Fileleftheros” report on the Christodoulides–Guterres meeting. According to the report, the following took place during the 15-minute meeting: The President outlined his 19 (new) proposals, the Secretary-General presented his own thoughts, the Secretary-General also briefed them on the “in-depth discussion” he had with Ursula and Costa, and finally, the Secretary-General “praised Cyprus’s contribution to the management of regional crises and expressed gratitude for the initiatives undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus.” They must have been speaking in fast-forward mode; otherwise, it doesn’t make sense.

• However, I watched closely as they exited the Christodoulides–Olgin meeting. The President saw the reporters and rushed to project a positive image in contrast to Olgin, who was in a hurry to leave. “It was a very good, constructive meeting,” said the President, and it seemed to me that he turned to Olgin and asked, “Right?” And she, of course, replied, “Oh yes.” Kids, learn once and for all how communication works…

• Now I don’t know what kind of communication inspiration led to the decision to name the next storm “Filippa,” but some experts in the field insist on the logic of “you’re even using my name for something bad.” Is that it, or did someone make a blunder and is going to get an earful from the First Lady?

• I read with great interest the news that Odysseas Michailidis is taking Hasapopoulos to court over his claims that Odysseas himself was behind the well-known page of supporters of (former) Auditor General was Odysseas himself. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t do it, but from where I stand, I’m eagerly awaiting the outcome of this case. We’re going to learn a whole lot!

Well then, have a good Sunday, and don’t get too excited if a trilateral meeting pops up in New York. Save all your excitement for the October 1st parade, where we’ll see the National Guard’s new acquisitions.