THE ATMOSPHERE in and around DIKO offices yesterday evening was as gloomy as the weather.
As initial indications of the first round’s outcome emerged, a feeling of unease descended on outgoing President Tassos Papadopoulos’ offices.
When Papadopoulos’ exclusion from the second round became a certainty, the disappointment and surprise was evidently etched on everyone’s faces.
Just a couple of hours earlier, Government Spokesman Vasilis Palmas was expressing his conviction that Papadopoulos would not only be going through to the second round, he would be coming out on top.
His optimism was fused by the ANT 1 exit poll, which showed Papadopoulos passing through with a clear lead – though each television channel had different takes on the result, which was still anyone’s guess yesterday afternoon.
But the final verdict started to become clear quite early on as the results were being aired minute by minute on the TV. Papadopoulos’ supporters remained holed up in the privacy of their offices and refused to talk to the media, while a few – including EDEK deputy Marinos Sizopoulos – started departing from as early as 6 pm, over an hour before the final result was out.
Ministers of the outgoing government, along with coalition party leaders and MPs, started arriving at the offices just before and after the final result was announced, but remained quiet about what their next moves would be over the coming week.
EVROKO deputy Rikkos Erotokritou said his party would be convening today, “with a clear head to decide calmly and collectively what collaborations we will be embarking on”.
EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou held a similar stance. “The relevant bodies of EDEK will convene and set the movement’s position for the second round of the election.”
The same was announced by Green Party leader Giorgos Perdikis, who said the
people’s decision was respected and the party’s next moves would be decided soon.
The head of ADIK, Dinos Michaelides, couldn’t hide his shock at Papadopoulos’ exclusion.
“This is an unexpected surprise,” he told reporters. “It was unexpected and no one was expecting it. We will decide collectively who we will be backing next.”
Of those who did make statements, it was clear that their decision for the second round would be mainly based on the Cyprus problem.
Arriving at his party’s headquarters at 8pm looking flustered and tired, Tassos Papadopoulos was the last to comment.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people, who trusted and honoured me with their vote.
“I am also expressing my gratitude to the parties that supported me, the leaderships, the members and the volunteers, all of whom I thank for working so hard to project my candidacy.
“The people have judged and decided. Their verdict is completely respected. During my term, I always spoke to the public honestly. My thoughts, decisions and actions were always guided by my love for the country and by my concern for the people.
The five previous years were years of creativity and contribution. We lived through historic times with the people: we experienced our accession to the European Union; we experienced the salvation of the Cyprus Republic in April 2004; we experienced financial progress, social cohesion, the adoption of the euro, the presence of Cyprus in the heart of Europe. I feel proud for all that we experienced and succeeded together.
“The concerns that I expressed during the pre-election period are sincere. There are developments in the Cyprus problem.
“I am calling on the people to be alert. I personally will always be present, beside and united with the people for Cyprus.”
