European Party decides not to support either candidate in Cyprus elections

The European Party who has three seats in Parliament decided not to support any of the two candidates in the run off election for President of the Republic on Sunday.

The party’s Political Bureau had earlier decided to suggest to the Central Council that members do not support either MEP Ioannis Kasoulides or House of Representatives President and Secretary General of the leftwing AKEL party Demetris Christofias for the presidency of the Republic. A total of 332 members voted in favour of the proposal, nine were against and there was one abstention.

In statements European Party chairman Demetris Syllouris said the party, with “clear principles and dignity, notes it is present in the island’s political life and will exercise quality opposition and a positive approach to any proposals by the executive authority”.

Syllouris also said his party is ready to face the hard times that are ahead for Cyprus.

Earlier Wednesday, the Movement of Social Democrats EDEK decided to support the candidacy of Christofias in Sunday’s final round of presidential elections in Cyprus.

In the first round of elections last Sunday, Kasoulides secured 150,996 votes or 33.51%, Christofias garnered 150,016 or 33.29%, and outgoing President Tassos Papadopoulos, who was supported by the centre right Democratic Party (DIKO), EDEK, the European Party and the Ecologists and Environmentalists Movement received 143,249 votes or 31.79%.

DIKO has also decided to back Christofias’ candidacy. Four parties, namely AKEL, DIKO, EDEK and the Ecologists had formed a coalition government in February 2003 under Papadopoulos. Six months ago AKEL withdrew from the government and its leader is now a presidential hopeful.

The Ecologists and Environmentalists’ Movement and the Democratic Struggling Movement (ADIK) will take on Thursday their final decisions regarding Sunday’s elections.