George Pamporidis and Averof Neophytou are taking up “battle positions” ahead of the DISY internal party elections. The two camps are scrambling for signatures, seeking to mobilize members from the party’s total membership of 49,000. They are focusing primarily on well-known current and former officials from all branches of the party who have the potential to influence the outcome.
Members of the leadership have chosen not to take a public stance, as they have been repeatedly advised to keep a low profile. Such advice was also given during yesterday’s meeting of the parliamentary group. According to sources close to him, DISY Deputy Chairman Efthymios Diplaros is said to be in favor of the party’s former president. On the other hand, Giorgos Pamporidis is backed by the head of the shadow cabinet, Michalis Ioannidis, and by other officials who are very close to Annita Dimitriou’s inner circle.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Behind-the-scenes maneuvers
Under the banner of unity, long-standing party figures are also working behind the scenes to pull the strings in an effort to ensure that everyone respects the results of the internal party elections and avoidsdivisive actions that could harm the party. Former President Nikos Anastasiadis himself is in contact with the key players.
Meeting in Paralimni
The candidates attended a party event in Paralimni as part of the leadership’s consultation with the districts. They also briefly spoke with Anita Dimitriou, who traveled to Rome today for the European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments.
It will “cast its net”
AKEL is preparing to reach out to other political forces, such as DIKO, EDEK, and ALMA, to discuss the possibility of a joint candidate. Well-informed sources within the party deny that the leadership met with economist Tasos Yiasemidis with a view to him becoming a candidate.
See the report by Evangelos Agapios
