DIKO parliamentary candidate Nicholas Papadopoulos’ promotion campaign has been unfair, critics say.
The criticism against 33-year old Papadopoulos, the son of President Tassos Papadopoulos, was made by United Democrats (EDI) general-secretary and parliamentary candidate Mikis Sianis during discussion on Sigma television channel on Thursday night.
Specifically Sianis claimed that when a representative from a social or labour group went to the Presidential Palace seeking to raise problems the group faced, the representative was persistently asked in exchange to organise an event at his home to promote a “certain” candidate.
The EDI candidate would not reveal any names when pressured to do so, saying he had not been authorised by the source of his information to do so. He also said it was not his intention to hit out at any specific candidate but only to find fault with specific attitudes and mentalities.
But Altithia newspaper said Sianis was more than likely referring to the president’s son because his accusation involved the Presidential Palace and mirrored similar information recently made public.
But DIKO candidate and former presidential spokesperson Marios Karoyian, who was taking part in the discussion with Sianis, said the EDI candidate’s comments implied a specific candidate and that Sianis had better back up his claims.
During the discussion Sianis made a second accusation that a banker had organised an event using the bank’s expenses to promote a certain candidate. Again the EDI deputy did not name any names, but Alithia said it had information the reference again involved Nicholas Papadopoulos.
On Tuesday night, Laiki Sporting Club held a cocktail. Unconfirmed reports say the bank’s executive chairman Kikis Lazarides organised the event to promote the President’s son.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Politis reported the young DIKO candidate had received preferential treatment when he was allowed to visit the Trade, Commerce and Tourism Ministry as part of his election campaign. During the visit, Papadopoulos was accompanied by three to four department heads and was introduced to all civil servants with whom he shook hands and spoke of his candidacy. The paper questioned whether this was the start of a new campaign and if the Minister, George Lillikas, would allow the remaining 350 parliamentary candidates also to present themselves to the employees at his ministry.
The paper went on to point out Nicholas had huge advantages over other candidates, which would almost guarantee his election. He was the son of the president, had a name with history and notable influence and belonged to all circles within the small society of the island, both political and financial.
Lillikas was yesterday unavailable for comment.
