Andri Hatzandreou is now officially the Deputy Mayor of Aglantzia, following her swearing-in ceremony at the Nicosia District Administration Offices, which took place on Monday, June 29.

Ms. Hatzandreou was accompanied by her parents and sister. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Andreas Hatzipakkos.

Speaking on the “Alpha News” program with journalist Iakovos Iakovou, Ms. Hatzandreou also congratulated her opponent on the 10-day race leading up to the election.

She discussed her priorities as well as the high abstention rate, noting that many people were unaware that the election was last Sunday.

Read also: “We’ll sit side by side”: Why and how Andri Hatzandreou will collaborate with her opponent

When asked about the role of the Deputy Mayor and the lack of recognition the position seems to receive, as well as whether she intends to seek a higher office, she replied that an effort is underway by the Deputy Mayors, with whom she will align herself.

“We have to say that there are indeed gaps. It’s not that there aren’t any; that’s well known. But this is precisely where we, as politicians, have a role to play: to apply the necessary pressure with sound reasoning and assertiveness, so that the central government will make the decisions it must make—to take the right steps—and for the state to effectively fund local government so that we, too, can get things done. Together, we will all work to build bridges of cooperation—with the Mayor of Nicosia, the Deputy Mayors, and the City Council, as well as with everyone who wants to and is able to get involved so that we can move forward.”

Responding to a question about whether he’ll go on vacation after the difficult 10-day election period, he says that will have to wait, noting that his priority lies elsewhere right now.