He does not rule out any party, nor the possibility of fielding his own candidate in the presidential election, ELAM President Christos Christou said this from the studio of the Alpha Kalimera show, while responding to statements made by Giorgos Pamboridis on “25 Minutes” and Alpha on Sunday.
“On the one hand, we can do what we’ve done in the past: run for the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus on our own. On the other hand, if a scenario arises in which ELAM can put forward its own policies and a policy framework is created that would allow us to participate in the executive branch, that is something we will consider very seriously.”
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When asked which parties he could cooperate with, Mr. Christou stated that, aside from the left, they have not ruled out any others.
“Even in this case, it is they themselves who refuse any cooperation with the National Popular Front.”
Responding to a question about whether he could cooperate with the Democratic Alarm, he reiterates that they have not ruled out anyone other than the left, so the door to dialogue remains open.
When asked if they would be prepared to assume government responsibilities in the event of a coalition government, he replied that it is too early to discuss this.
“ELAM does not see itself as a reactionary party that wants to remain on the sidelines. We have emphasized several times that we are interested in the prospect of participating in the executive branch, and it goes without saying that there are several areas that interest us.”
As he states, among the issues that ELAM considers important are the economy, domestic governance, defense and security, migration management, education, and health.
Regarding migration, he argued that the issue has not been resolved, noting that there are still unresolved matters and incidents that keep bringing the issue back into the spotlight.
At the same time, he referred to the party’s disagreement with the government’s handling of issues affecting farmers, while placing particular emphasis on the need to support citizens who are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. As he noted, the measures being taken are not sufficiently targeted, as there are fellow citizens who cannot secure decent living conditions and need more substantial government support.
When asked whether the measures already taken are insufficient, he referred to the possibility of further reducing fuel prices, noting that ELAM has raised this specific issue and expects it to be discussed at the European level.
Responding to a question about ELAM’s relationship with the leadership of the Democratic Alarm, he stated that he can say relations have improved with the new parliamentary term.
“It is very difficult for the Democratic Alarm to come to power when it has ruled out such cooperation.”
When asked to comment on Giorgos Pamboridis’s statement on the “25 Minutes” program—in which he said that ELAM does not belong to the democratic spectrum and that it was born out of Golden Dawn—he responds:
“ELAM certainly does belong to the democratic spectrum. We do not need Mr. Pamporidis to certify our democratic credentials. But Mr. Pamboridis can be certain that he will not be the next president of the Republic of Cyprus.”
Read also: Pamboridis on “25 Minutes”: “If I were to announce my candidacy outside the party, my head would be on a platter”
Regarding ELAM’s relationship with the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides—as allegations of covert political support have been made from time to time— Mr. Christou rejected these claims, calling on those who argue that there is a special relationship between the President’s Office and ELAM to present concrete evidence.
In fact, he called on those making these claims to name ELAM officials who have been appointed to parastatal organizations or other positions within the state apparatus.
He maintained that no such evidence has been presented and reiterated that the final decisions regarding the presidential elections will be made by the party’s competent collective bodies.
The ELAM president also defended the party’s practice of supporting parliamentary proposals from other political forces, even when they come from AKEL. Responding to criticism regarding the two parties’ alignment in Parliament on certain issues, he noted that ELAM does not operate with partisan biases and that the criterion for its vote is the public interest.
As he explained, members of parliament have a duty to examine the substance of every legislative proposal or bill and not to reject a proposal simply because it comes from a different political camp. In fact, he noted that in some cases, AKEL has taken a similar stance, supporting proposals put forward by ELAM.
