— Peyia foreign residents have their say
The three-party ruling coalition is in trouble of collapsing after the two major parties – communist AKEL and nationalist DIKO – briefly abandoned their socialist partner, EDEK, over crucial municipal elections in December.
But the tables may have turned as AKEL, desperate to have two high-ranking officers elected mayors of Nicosia and Limassol, despite opposition to the pair from DIKO, may throw a sweetener to EDEK in an attempt win the seats.
EDEK, that still maintains two ministers in Tassos Papadopoulos’ cabinet (Justice, Labour), says it made “great compromises” on the issue of proposing common candidates for mayor of some towns, but was faced with “downright rejection” from AKEL that wants to promote some of its own candidates.
The socialist party mainly elected mayors in Strovolos, Paphos and Lefkara and wanted to keep these and other towns for its own candidates, or be offered others in return.
EDEK may get support from AKEL in Strovolos, to elect Savvas Eliophotou to a third term in office, in exchange for support MP Eleni Mavrou in Nicosia.
DIKO is struggling with in-party conflicts over Paphos which is being contested by party Vice President Nicos Pittokopitis and incumbent vice mayor Savvas Vergas.
The outspoken Pittokopitis also objected to AKEL’s Interior Minister Andreas Christou running for Limassol mayor and Mavrou for the capital’s mayor because of their support of the Annan plan that was demonized by DIKO and rejected by the majority of Greek Cypriots.
This could also put the AKEL-DIKO cooperation in jeopardy, but many believe that the Paphos politician, who failed to get elected to parliament in May could be sidelined in favour of coalition harmony that will include EDEK once again.
The opposition party is also seeking to get its own people elected, but at the same time wants to stir up controversy among the coalition partners.
DISY’s executive council met on Wednesday that stated that the party would support “the most suitable candidate” for mayor of each town, not excluding support for any AKEL candidates.
Eleni Mavrou will be facing incumbent Nicosia Mayor Michael Zampelas, art historian Anna Marangou and former Technical Chamber president Nicos Mesaritis. Marangou lost to Zampelas in the previous elections.
Eligible to vote in the December 17 elections are all Cypriot citizens aged 18 and older, as well as all European nationals who are permanent residents and have registered with the local authorities.
The last date to register is October 2. Forms are available at all the District Offices, the Elections Service and the Ministry of Interior website (www.moi.gov.cy).
— Non-Cypriots in Peyia elections
A number of European nationals who are permanent residents of Cyprus have shown interest to have a say in some of the townships where they have a large presence and may even elect one or two town councilors in certain municipalities.
Already, 244 foreign residents, mainly British retirees, have registered and will cast their vote in Peyia, where they represent 15% of the electorate.
Their efforts failed when they tried to register for the supplementary elections in the town last December, when the previous mayor stepped down and was replaced by a popular candidate.
In nearby Tala, the foreign residents who have registered for elections of a local council presently number 201, or a third of the village population.
Other foreign nationals’ registrations are sporadic, according to Ministry of Interior officials, who added that there was “little to no interest” from Greek citizens who originated from the former Soviet states.
