PARLIAMENT yesterday discussed a bill tabled by deputies from the Rally for Europe on the Euro elections that states candidates for the European Parliament who gather a five per cent vote be given the chance to partake in the second round.
Prodromos Prodromou said that even though he felt sure a candidate from the Rally for Europe would secure one of the six seats allocated to Cypriots in the EU parliament, he has tabled the bill to ensure there is a law that is the same as the rest of Europe.
“This five per cent will not only apply to political parties but also to groups or isolated candidates,” said Prodromou.
Those responsible for tabling the bill are expelled DISY members Prodromos Prodromou, Ricos Erotokriou and Christodoulos Taramoundas, who in their annual report said this legislation is necessary.
Prodromou added that with the passing of this law, the voting law would automatically be improved, as it secures candidates’ equality.
The bill also proposes that ballot cards be available in Turkish for the Turkish Cypriots who are enlisted voters as well as in another language for EU citizens who do not speak either of the languages used in Cyprus.
DIKO yesterday announced their six candidates for the euro-elections. Temporary president of the party Nicos Cleanthous said that DIKO’s vision for Europe and their political proposal for Cyprus was not black and white, but diverse and colourful.
The candidates are Demetris Andreou, Alexis Galanos, Themis Themistocleous, Kyriacos Kenevezos, Marios Matsakis and Antigoni Papadopoulou.
When presenting the candidates, Cleanthous thanked them for offering their candidacies and said complimentary words about each one.
KS-EDEK on Sunday held informative pre-election campaigns in Paphos on the Euro elections headed by the party leader Yiannakis Omirou.
Omirou stated that the public would support the ballot for KS-EDEK as the people recognised the importance of securing a Cypriot socialist MEP in the European Parliament.
He stressed that the Cyprus problem would be a matter concerning the EU in the coming years and that the input of the socialist party member would be necessary in reaching and securing a viable settlement.
The New Horizons also introduced their six candidates yesterday. Costas Yiouliamos said that each candidate who was not a member of a political party would pave the way for democracy for the people.
The candidates are Panos Razis (a professor at the University), Vassos Argyrides (composer), Panayiotis Ifaistos (University professor), Katerina Charalambidou Papademetriou (businesswoman), Stratos Panayides (vice president of NEO) and New Horizons president Nicos Koutsou.
After the Euro elections, the government will suggest new taxes and other economic measures, according to candidate for the European elections Christos Stylianides.
Economy, taxation and tourism were just three of the topics discussed on Sunday at a press conference held by MEP candidates of European Cyprus, Christos Stylianides, Praxoula Antoniadou, Stavros Tombazos and Androulla Vassiliou.
Stylianides said he believes the government must prepare the people for changes that could occur and the difficult economic period that the island could face.
“Economy is showing a depression that is coming from the lack of vision and uncertain conditions that exist,” said Antoniadou.
Tombazos mentioned the need for radical changes to be made to the economy and that money be invested into tourism.
Vassiliou said it would be an important development if the information were confirmed about the school in Rizokarpaso and the Maronite schools in the north.
