Prodromou to contest Disy vice-chairmanship

DISY DEPUTY Prodromos Prodromou announced yesterday he would run for the vice-chairmanship of his party in upcoming elections for the post.

Announcing his candidacy yesterday, Prodromou said that, while no one had actively pressured him not to stand, he had received suggestions his candidacy might cause divisions within the party.

“We are not essentially talking about pressures, but about advice or prompting from various sides, of which the central meaning was that my candidacy should be avoided if possible in order to avoid political confrontation in the party.”

Prodromou said that he had a meeting with Disy chairman Nicos Anastassiades just before yesterday’s news conference to inform him of his intention to run. He said that Anastassiades had not pressured him in any way and that they had discussed was the party’s general path.

He said he was submitting his candidacy because he wanted to contribute to the creation of a “modern and dynamic Disy”, which he said had begun when Anastassiades was elected party chairman.

Prodromou also said he had taken into account previous statements by current vice-chairman Panayiotis Demetriou that Demetriou was exhausted and ready to leave his position, even though he was running for re-election.

Prodromou said that he and Demetriou had an excellent relationship and that Demetriou had said he was feeling the strain of his responsibilities towards the party, along with his many other obligations.

“I think that by having the willingness and by not having other responsibilities except for being a deputy, I will be completely able to fulfil the position,” Prodromou said.

Another candidate is petrol station owner George Christodoulou.

The fourth candidate, former Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides has decided to withdraw his candidacy.

The three-day elections are set to begin on June 18, with applicants formally submitting their candidacy on June 1.

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