The game will be played out not only in political and partisan terms, but also in terms of the personal agendas of those directly involved as well as regional players
President Christodoulides had expected things to be much easier, with an eye toward the 2028 presidential election. He anticipated a decline in support for the major parties in the parliamentary elections—though not to the extent that it would lead to their disorganization—and some “more mature thinking,” particularly on the part of DISY. Developments have proven these expectations or assessments wrong, with the result that Nikos Christodoulides is now moving to Plan B. His strategy calls for strengthening—even securing the commitment of—the parties that currently support him, as well as covertly infiltrating the DISY camp.
The recent reshuffle revealed both of these aspects of his strategy. Strengthened participation by DIKO—now at the level of a de facto coalition government—and the maintenance of contact with the other two parties, EDEK and DIPA. At the same time, he cast a net into the opposition camp by investing in the power of social groups rather than leadership decisions. On the first front, he largely achieved his goal. Especially with regard to DIKO, the fulfillment of nearly all its demands leaves no room for the previously considered plans to withdraw from the government. No one leaves a government in which they hold nearly half the seats.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
However, the maneuvers involving DISY are creating a polarizing atmosphere within the party. So much so that the label of “traitor for the second time” is now being clearly leveled at Nicos Christodoulides. It is certain that the right-wing opposition party will make things difficult for the President over the next 18 months. This applies both to the criticism he will face once we officially enter the election campaign and to the policies he will pursue within Parliament. The President’s staff is well aware of this reality; however, they are banking on the internal power struggles expected within DISY over who will secure the party’s nomination. This will undermine the united front the party currently presents against the President.
No matter how many moves have been made on the political chessboard so far, the landscape of the presidential election remains unclear. There are many factors that must be finalized before any reliable assessments can be made:
– Will there be developments in the Cyprus issue? And in what direction? Will our national issue—once again—be the factor that creates or breaks alliances?
– Will Averof Neophytou keep his promise to stand by the President if he handles the developments correctly? Or will the perception of mismanagement serve as the pretext for an all-out attack? Averof has already thrown out the bait of at least one roadblock that the President will have to agree to in order to move things forward.
– There is yet another serious factor currently taking shape. Nikolas Papadopoulos achieved what he wanted for DIKO, but his own personal agenda has been sidelined. And DISY’s proposal for him to assume the presidency of the House of Representatives if Annita Dimitriou runs in the elections is still on the table. And perhaps his reelection for the next parliamentary term.
The Speaker may have opened the poker game, but the other players are holding onto their cards for the right moment. The only certainty is that this game will be played not only in political and partisan terms, but also according to the personal agendas of those directly involved as well as peripheral players.
