AKEL's Central Committee approves Malas' presidential candidacy

Left-wing ruling party AKEL has approved by majority vote a Party Political Bureau proposal to back Health Minister Stavros Malas in next February’s presidential elections.

Following a seven hour session of the party Central Committee here on Wednesday, 70% of Committee members voted in favor, 25% against and 5% abstain. Voting was by secret ballot.

AKEL spokesman George Loucaides said the suggestion regarding Malas’ candidacy will be discussed by party district committees, starting today.

The final decision will be taken at a party conference on July 21.

Presidential elections take place every five years. Incumbent President Demetris Christofias has announced that he will not seek reelection. As things stand at present three other candidacies have been announced – the main opposition right wing Democratic Party leader Nicos Anastasiades, former foreign minister George Lillikas and Makaria Andri Stylianou, member of a movement of “Indignant” who last year staged protest rallies against President Christofias, following a deadly blast at a naval base that killed 13 persons.