THE CENTRE-right DIKO party of ousted President Tassos Papadopoulos last night voted to rekindle its unholy alliance with AKEL and EDEK, by throwing its vote behind candidate Demetris Christofias for Sunday’s election runoff.
The decision was taken by a secret ballot of members some six hours after the central committee began its meeting at around 7pm.
It resulted in 112 votes for Christofias and 50 for Kasoulides.
Looking rough after a marathon series of meetings, DIKO leader Marios Karoyan told reporters: “The decision, we believe, was in the best interest of the country and the party.”
It’s been barely six months since AKEL broke ranks with the three-party coalition with DIKO and EDEK, but the communist party was wooing its former partners within hours of Papadopoulos’ defeat in the first round last Sunday. The EDEK leadership called for Christofias on Monday.
Rival Ioannis Kasoulides, the candidate for right-wing DISY, had also attempted to bring DIKO on board, but the party was split on which way to turn.
DIKO held discussions with both candidates, which Karoyan described as an exchange of views that took place in a good climate.
“As president of the party, I met, I talked and did what I was required to do for the country and the party,” said Karoyan. “It was a critical decision and not an easy one,” he said, adding that he expected the party to follow the majority view.
There was talk that DIKO would secure three ministries including the Foreign Ministry and the presidency of the House of Representatives.
Earlier in the day, it had seemed DIKO would go for Kasoulides, but as the day wore on the climate turned.
Reports said the party leadership had sought advice from the Presidential Palace, but that Papadopoulos had repeated his earlier statements that he would back neither of his rivals.
After five hours of discussions it was decided to resort to a secret ballot which ended after midnight. Votes had to be cast and counted at the DIKO offices in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Famagusta.
It was after 1am before the final result came through.
Speaking after the decision was announced, DISY spokesman Tassos Mitsopoulos acknowledged the DIKO vote, and called on the Cypriot people to look to the future:
“DIKO has taken its decision. Last Sunday, a new era began in our country. The Cypriot people decided to leave the past behind and move forward,” he said.
Mitsopoulos called on all Cypriots irrespective of political leanings to go forward together and not to hide in the corner any longer.
“Sunday’s decision will be critical. Are we going to be an EU state or a state of Eurosceptics,” he said. “No one can afford to lose this chance to go forward.”
According to reports, DIKO leader Marios Karoyan and long-time members Nicos Pittokopitis, Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas, and Kyriacos Kenevezou were behind Christofias.
Other reports said one of the voices who spoke for joining Kasoulides was Marcos Kyprianou, the EU’s Health Commissioner and son of DIKO founder Spyros Kyprianou. Some members had suggested the party go for a conscience vote.
Speaking to Antenna television around 12.30am Education Minister Akis Cleanthous said it had been a difficult day for the party at the end of a ten-month election campaign.
When asked about the apparent switch in support from Kasoulides to Christofias, said he could not talk “of a turnaround”.
DIKO deputy Antigone Papadopoulou said it had been difficult to reach a consensus and a vote was the only way. It has to be secret to protect party members from any reprisals in the future.
Both Kasoulides and Christofias yesterday sent letters to the DIKO leadership outlining their plans for the presidency, and particularly their views on the Cyprus issue.
Kasoulides sent a five-page letter committing to a bi-zonal bi-communal federation. Christofias’ letter was two pages long, state television reported.
