ALMA has set many conditions regarding the profile of the candidate it will support, raising questions about whether it will box itself in
The results of last May’s parliamentary elections did not merely cause disappointment within the ALMA Movement. It was the reason for a change in strategy by the newly formed Movement regarding the 2028 presidential election. This is because, while Odysseas Michaelides had made it clear from the party’s founding that the goal was not the parliamentary elections but the presidential ones, this stance may have had a negative impact on the party’s momentum and proved disastrous for his candidacy. Sources close to him note that he himself says he cannot ignore the message of the election. In fact, shortly after the elections, he had conveyed to party leadership that the prospect of his candidacy was now highly unlikely. The question, of course, is how the Movement will proceed on the political scene, particularly with regard to the presidential election. If Odysseas Michaelides is indeed now out of the picture.
Both people in his inner circle and members of parliament who work with Odysseas Michaelides note that he appears to have fully adapted to his role in Parliament. Some even go a step further and suggest that now that the chapter on the presidential election has closed, he seems to have shed the burden that had been weighing on him all this time. However, no matter how comfortable he may feel in his new role, one thing is certain: he wants to play a strong and decisive role in determining who the candidates will be in the presidential election. Not only because this will determine the party’s strength on the political scene, but also because Mr. Michaelides had made the presidential election and the need to reform and transform the state a priority for the party.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The preliminary eliminations and the ideal scenario
Odysseas Michailidis has made it clear in an interview with SIGMA that there are pre-exclusions, and they concern party officials and individuals who have become identified with the party. It is therefore a given that ALMA will not support a potential candidacy—whether that of Annita Dimitriou or Averof Neophytou —as has been suggested—or even that of Giorgos Pamboridis in DISY. Similarly, it has ruled out the possibility of Stefanos Stefanou running. However, he has also preemptively ruled out the possibility of supporting Andreas Mavrogiannis, as a figure closely identified with the party. This is not only because of Eirini Charalambidou, for whom such a scenario is a red line and whom she has raised the issue with the collective bodies. It is also due to the rest of the leadership for various reasons. They believe that Andreas Mavrogiannis will not impose restrictions on AKEL, with the result that the left-wing party will play a particularly influential role in the coalition government. It is worth noting, however, that Andreas Mavroyiannis’s decision, according to a report in “Phileleftheros,” to preempt AKEL’s internal party procedures—should he ultimately decide to run—is also based on the fact that he wants to shake off the label of “party candidate”—a label that is more or less a repeat of Stavros Malas’s candidacy. Although AKEL officials maintain that nothing has been decided or agreed upon, it remains unclear whether he is in consultation with certain party officials regarding this move. It is also unclear whether such a move would be interpreted as blackmail if it turns out that no such consultation took place. What is certain, however, is that as far as Alma is concerned, the decision not to support him remains unchanged, regardless of how his candidacy is ultimately made public.
AKEL’s Fears
What is being noted in party circles is that they are willing to discuss with AKEL the possibility of finding a joint candidate. This is a move that certainly does not sit well with Irini Charalambidou, who makes no secret within the Movement of her annoyance at the prospect of an alliance with AKEL. In fact, officials from both parties had an initial informal meeting to determine whether there is common ground, with ALMA making it clear that it wants a candidate who will not create difficulties for the party. ALMA does not want under any circumstances to be seen as a mere appendage of AKEL—a risk it took with the Speaker of the House. Not only for substantive reasons, but also because such a move would mark the beginning of the end for its very existence.
The scenario of an independent course
Although party officials report that they are considering various figures who could carry out this restructuring of the state, the Movement has not ruled out the scenario of an independent run, in which Odysseas Michaelides would be the candidate. This scenario is causing concern within the Movement’s circles, as they believe it will trigger the “wasted vote” effect. On the other hand, a candidacy by Odysseas Michaelides—especially without the support of other political forces—could play a decisive role in determining who advances to the second round and who is eliminated. What is certain, however, is that the newly formed movement will secure a spot in the second round. The question is what it will do if the second round features either Nikos Christodoulides—whose rule, as the coalition government argues, must be brought to an end—or the DISY candidate. The question is whether the preconditions set by ALMA will end up trapping the Movement. And while the goal is to become a kingmaker in the process, it may ultimately end up as a mere observer.
