DIKO leader Marios Garoyian was yesterday re-elected party chairman for a further four-year term.
The announcement was made at the start of the Democratic Party’s electoral congress at Nicosia’s Hilton Park.
Garoyian, who was elected in 2006 after former President Tassos Papadopoulos stepped down, was unopposed.
DIKO deputy Phytos Constantinou was also declared party general organiser unopposed.
In his address the DIKO leader commented on Cyprus today in the areas of politics, economy and society, Garoyian said the changes had been radical.
“The [economic] crisis has knocked on the door. The recipes of the past do not work any more. At the global level the rules have changed and, the new data has to be responded to with new ideas,” he said.
“At the same time with the national issue in the light at the end of the tunnel is growing ever more faint. The continuing and escalating Turkish intransigence does not allow much room for optimism. We hope and we fight but we are concerned,” he added.
The real excitement in the DIKO congress begins today with the party elections for the posts of deputy leader, vice president, general secretary, and the 15-member Executive Bureau and the 120-member Central Committee.
Voting centres will be open in all major towns from 9am to 5pm.
George Colocassides and Antigone Papadopoulou are standing for deputy leader. Colocassides currently holds the position and is seeking re-election.
The position of vice president is sought after by Angelos Votsis, Nicholas Papadopoulos and Constantinos Panayi. The latter is a virtual unknown to people outside DIKO.
Meanwhile Athina Kyriakidou had gone up against Kyriakos Kenevezos who is seeking re-election as general organiser.
The results of these posts should be out by around 8pm or 9pm but no later than 11pm, said party spokesman Photis Photiou.
“The results for the rest will take longer because there are so many candidates and will likely be ready on Monday,” he said.
Based on the party charter at least three women must be elected to the Executive Bureau.
Yesterday’s congress was addressed by President Demetris Christofias and other political party leaders. Representatives from Greece’s five political parties including Nea Demokratia, PASOK, KKE, SYRIZA and LAOS were also present.
It is the first time the party is holding an electoral congress without either its founder Spyros Kyprianou or former President Tassos Papadopoulos, marking a new era for the centre right party. The latter took over as DIKO party leader in 2000 after Kyprianou stepped down.
During his own address, Garoyia outlined the party’s main line and directions, as well as its political and strategic goals regarding the Cyprus problem.
