“The next major milestone will be victory in the 2028 presidential election.”
The AKEL Central Committee has kicked off the party’s campaign marathon for the presidential election. Stefanos Stefanou has signaled the start of efforts to lay the political groundwork and build the foundation upon which Ezekia Papaioannou will select her candidate for 2028.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Alliances Are a Priority
AKEL is focusing on forging alliances for the presidential election.
“The difficult part—and this is what we will do—is to seek out alliances in order to form a broad progressive front aimed at bringing about change.”
According to reports, the party will first meet with ALMA. Meetings will also be scheduled with VOLT, Direct Democracy, and the Greens, while DIPA, EDEK, and DIKO remain in the picture, despite the fact that they are part of the coalition government. The rallying cry of this effort is the need for progressive change.
READ ALSO: Stefanos Stefanou: “Christodoulides and DISY must step down from power so that society can breathe” (PHOTO)
Attacks on Opponents
The jabs at DISY are clear, with Stefanos Stefanou pointedly stating that the choice of candidate is not based on political agendas or personal ambitions.
“Our decisions will not be made behind closed doors, nor in fish taverns.”
He lumps Nikos Anastasiadis, DISY, and Nikos Christodoulides into the same category, pointing the finger at them for a dire situation which, as he states, the country is currently experiencing.
“For thirteen years now, their policies have been creating and perpetuating the unhealthy conditions our people are enduring. It is these policies that they wish to continue, which is why they are publicly declaring their mutual support in the second round. Christodoulides and DISY must leave power so that society can breathe again.”
READ ALSO: AKEL on the hunt for allies and a candidate for the 2028 presidential election
Outline of the Candidate
The party’s General Secretary highlighted seven key priorities in the context of the presidential election. First is the Cyprus issue, followed by tackling inflation, housing, and protecting workers and vulnerable groups. Part of the proposals includes the introduction of a new economic model as well as the restoration of the rule of law and institutions.
AKEL’s greatest fear is that ELAM might not come to power.
This statement is intended to resonate with the presidential office and those who may be open to cooperating with Christos Christou’s party.
“The possibility that the far-right ELAM will officially join the country’s government is now a real prospect. The progressive forces of the country have a historic duty to work together to isolate the far right.”
The party is also sounding the alarm for a change of course in diplomacy by breaking free from subservience to the U.S. and Israel.
The name issue remains unresolved
Although AKEL is not publicly engaging in the naming process, names will be brought to the table with the political forces, and the left-wing party has not ruled out even the possibility of its General Secretary running.
Following the dialogue, a proposal will be formulated for the Extraordinary Pan-Cypriot Electoral Convention to select the candidate.
Watch Evangelos Agapios’s report:
