THE CYPRUS problem will be the top item on the agenda of the 2008 vote, leaders of the government camp said yesterday.
The meeting at the Presidential Palace that lasted almost two hours was the first brainstorming session aimed at thrashing out strategy ahead of February’s elections.
President Tassos Papadopoulos met with DIKO boss Marios Karoyian and socialist chief Yiannakis Omirou.
Next week, possibly Tuesday, Papadopoulos is scheduled to see European Party leader Demetris Syllouris.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Karoyian said they had discussed the legacy of the present administration, as well as the “structure” of the election campaign “in broad terms”.
For the moment, he added, no names were named for the campaign staffers.
“It was an initial exchange of views on the election programme, but subsequently there will be a special committee in charge of drafting this programme, which will be based on the recommendations of parties and other political movements and personalities who would like to assist the President,” said Karoyian.
The two coalition partners were in perfect harmony as far as their views on the Cyprus issue were concerned, he added.
“Mr Papadopoulos’ policy regarding the framework and form of a settlement is a given, although we did not talk about this issue today,” he said.
And EDEK’s Omirou said “we are moving forward with great confidence and optimism”.
“We believe that Cypriot Hellenism has responded to the messages conveyed over the last five years… messages of resistance of our people to attempts at imposing unacceptable solution plans. Our people are satisfied with the administration, which has achieved many things, despite inheriting an economy in a bad state.”
Hinting that Papadopoulos’ re-election was a foregone conclusion, Omirou said the next five years posed even greater challenges for government.
“We shall pursue a realistic but assertive handling of our national issue, move forward with sweeping reforms, boost the welfare state, implement the National Health Scheme, promote R&D, new technologies and innovation…all the things that will enable our country to compete successfully in the European domain.”
Opinion polls give the incumbent Papadopoulos the slightest of leads on his main opponents, AKEL’s Demetris Christofias and DISY-backed Ioannis Kasoulides.
Commentators see a no-contest if Papadopoulos goes through to the runoff against Kasoulides, as most AKEL supporters would never vote for a DISY candidate.
Things are not as clear-cut in the event of a Papadopoulos-Christofias showdown, as DISY would have a hard time choosing between the two.
