Marios Karoyian elected Cyprus House President

Just two years after being elected to parliament and a year after taking the reigns of the Democratic Party (DIKO) leadership, Marios Karoyian has been elected as President of the House of Representatives, with 36 votes in favour, none against and 15 abstentions from the opposition Democratic Rally.

He replaces communist AKEL party General Secretary Demetris Christofias who won the presidential elections on February 24.

Speaking before the House plenary after his election, Karoyian thanked all the parties which backed his candidacy. He pledged to work for unity and promote a collective spirit, two principles he described as “fundamental preconditions” for the successful management of the Cyprus question.

Karoyian, who served as the parliamentary assistant two to previous House presidents – Spyros Kyprianou and Alexis Ghalanos – assured that he will work for a just, functional and viable settlement of the Cyprus question on the basis of UN resolutions and decisions, providing for a bizonal bicommunal federation, the July 8 2006 Agreement providing for substantive negotiations towards a settlement, the principles of international law and the principles on which the European Union is founded.

Noting that critical battles lie ahead for Cyprus and that new moves are expected on the Cyprus question, he said that the House of Representatives in cooperation with the President of the Republic and the Government will assume its own share in efforts to promote our goals and our positions for achieving a just, functional and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.

He referred to the EU, noting that Cyprus’ more active engagement in EU institutions “has allowed us to aspire to become substantive players contributing to European developments.”