LEADERS OF the coalition parties held a powwow yesterday at the Presidential Palace in a last-ditch bid to carve out their respective turf in the upcoming municipal elections.
However no agreement was reached and another meeting was set for August 11.
Speaking after the meeting AKEL general-secretary Demetris Christofias said collaboration between the parties was good. “Each gave his opinion on the operation and the problems of municipalities, the municipal councils, the mayors, etc.,” said Christofias.
The outcome of the December ballot is seen as the final yardstick for success in the 2008 presidential elections, which have already cast their shadow over the alliances in the Papadopoulos administration.
Analysts say Papadopoulos’ grip on power is growing more and more unassailable following the results of the last legislative elections, which saw DIKO increase its share of the electorate while also holding the promise of collaboration with the European Party, a blend of right-wing elements. Together, the two parties are a force to be reckoned with, even without the support of socialists EDEK or senior coalition partners AKEL.
With so much hanging in the balance, it has become increasingly difficult for government allies AKEL, DIKO, EDEK to forge a commonly accepted formula for the apportioning of the municipalities.
The rivalry centres mostly on the Nicosia and Paphos municipalities, which EDEK is keen on contesting. In exchange, the socialists would need to “hand over” Nicosia to DIKO – especially if EDEK intend to retain the Strovolos municipality.
It’s a daunting dilemma: Nicosia has traditionally been an important mayorship, because of its symbolism as the divided capital and also because the man in the job presides over the union of municipalities.
Intriguingly, DIKO are rumoured to be backing Ouranios Ioannides, a DISY member, for Nicosia.
Meanwhile AKEL’s sway in Limassol is not in question, especially if current Interior Minister Andreas Christou runs there. The most popular politician, Christou is sure to win the elections, but he would first have to resign his government portfolio.
Pundits say Christou had wanted to exit the administration during the recent government reshuffle, but was persuaded by his party AKEL to stay on. However, due to disagreements with the President on foreign policy, Christou is almost certain to leave his post before the next presidential elections.
Larnaca is the other district which, as part of a gentlemen’s agreement, rightfully “belongs” to AKEL.
Yet despite this broad outline, each party has developed a Plan B in case things go south. For example, the communists are toying with the idea of contesting the Nicosia mayorship with Eleni Mavrou, a well-liked figure both inside and outside AKEL.
That leaves opposition DISY, which has been literally isolated on the political landscape ever since the Annan Plan referendum of 2004. The party will most likely be pitching “personality candidates” for its ticket, hoping to make the most out of the internecine strife among the coalition partners.
It is even rumoured that DISY is ready to support Andreas Christou for Limassol, considering that they have no alternative of their own with a reasonable chance of success in the coastal town. If you can’t beat them, join them, as they say.
Greens leader George Perdikis, asked to comment on the issue of the European Party, said there was not likely to be collaboration following the strong objections of AKEL, although he said his party felt there should be such collaboration.
“There are serious objections from the part of AKEL and today the question was closed,” said Perdikis.
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