Cyprus’ ruling coaltion to collapse after AKEL decision

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos will be meeting on Tuesday with the political parties participating in the government, namely AKEL, the Democratic Party (DIKO) and the Social Democrats Movement EDEK, during which they are expected to dissolve their cooperation, after AKEL decided to run for the February 2008 elections with its General Secretary Demetris Christofias.

Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said on Monday that President Papadopoulos would be announcing his candidacy very soon and will then have meetings with the civil society and political parties.

Palmas noted that after AKEL’s decision, ”it appears that the tripartite cooperation will dissolve” and that DIKO and EDEK have clearly stated their support to Tassos Papadopoulos’ candidacy and thus ”tomorrow possibly the divorce of the tripartite cooperation will become official.”

Regarding the four AKEL Ministers in the government, Palmas said he would be meeting them soon to discuss the latest developments.

”I think it is matter-of-course that the Ministers will place their resignations before the President of the Republic,” he added.

Asked about the reasons that AKEL decided to run for the elections with its General Secretary, Palmas stated that President Papadopoulos directions to him were to refrain from any comment on Christofias’ speech during the party’s extraordinary assembly held here on Sunday.