THE European Democrats have merged with New Horizons to form a new party hoping to be a force to be reckoned with in the political spectrum ahead of the 2006 parliamentary elections.
The decision was taken after marathon talks between the parties’ leaders that had its share of tensions, with the talks coming close to breaking down. But reportedly a last-minute compromise proposal by the European Democrats’ Rikkos Erotokritou extinguished the flames of dissent.
Disagreement revolved around the structure of the emergent political formation as well as the role of the top figures. After much debate, it was agreed that the party leader would automatically be placed at the top of the ballot; this was the greatest point of contention, but a settlement was reached after some trade-offs. In addition to a leader, there will be an alternate and a deputy leader.
This sets the stage for a power play ahead of the fledgling party’s founding conference on July 3, when its platform is to be announced and members will vote for the top jobs.
Barring the unexpected, the hierarchy will feature Prodromos Prodromou and Erotokritou of the European Democrats, a DISY splinter group formed after last year’s referendum; New Horizons leader Nikos Koutsou; and deputy (independent) Demetris Syllouris, ousted from DISY.
Some commentators see the party as a strange mix of individuals and ideas, wondering whether it will stand the test of time. New Horizons, styles itself as a centrist party, but has traditionally voiced taken radical, if not extreme, positions on a number of issues, especially the Cyprus problem. And the European Democrats, though denying it, have been identified with rightist elements disenchanted with DISY, which in the meantime has progressively been adopting a more centre-right outlook.
Syllouris, Prodromou and Erotokritou have also earned a reputation as rabble-rousers, fueling speculation that the deal with New Horizons will be no easy alliance.
What the two parties do have in common is their open opposition to the Annan plan and a dedication to a “European solution” for the Cyprus problem. In this respect, they agree with President Papadopoulos’ general approach to foreign policy.
“We will be part of the opposition, make no mistake about it,” Prodromou told journalists yesterday. “But our criticism will be constructive at all times.”
No matter how things pan out, the merger is sure to have an impact on smaller parties, such as the Greens, socialists EDEK and, to a lesser extent, ruling DIKO.
The merger is significant given the current debate on increasing the threshold for parties to secure a seat in parliament. AKEL wants the 1.79 per cent of the vote to be raised to three per cent, while DISY and EDEK have suggested four per cent.
At the European elections last year, the European Democrats secured 10.8 per cent of the vote, but New Horizons secured just 1.65 per cent. The new grouping currently has four deputies, Prodromou and Erotokritou of the European Democrats, Syllouris (independent) and Marios Clerides for New Horizons. The first three, however, all secured their seats as members of DISY, from which they broke away last year.
