ELECTION buffs, don’t hold your breath: from the looks of it, there’s going to be no TV debate pitting the top politicians in the land against each other. False alarm.
It all started last week when opposition leader Nicos Anastassiades challenged none other than President Papadopoulos to a head-to-head on national television. It was an odd proposal, given that these are legislative, not presidential elections.
Not one to dodge confrontation – in fact he seems to thrive on it – Anastassiades justified the move by saying the President had already breached etiquette by directly meddling in the election campaign, so arranging a debate would be the next logical step.
Commentators said the DISY boss was pulling a bluff, knowing full well that Papadopoulos would never agree to this.
But the tables were soon turned, when DIKO’s acting head Nicos Cleanthous suggested he and Anastassiades engage in a discussion in front of the cameras.
The DISY chief then flatly refused, saying he would only sit beside party leaders.
Cleanthous took offence at the comment, countering:
“Does he (Anastassiades) think I’m not good enough for him? Does he think I can’t take him on? Please, don’t do me any favours.”
Meanwhile Anastassiades’ call on AKEL leader Demetris Christofias for a one-on-one also appeared to be going nowhere, as Christofias turned the offer down.
The two were scheduled to appear together on Sigma TV this Friday, but Christofias announced yesterday he would not show up because Anastassiades refused a counter-offer to debate with all party leaders present.
“Of course I cancelled it,” Christofias told state radio.
“He won’t sit with the others, so why should I go?”
In his defence, Anastassiades said it would be inappropriate and unfair for the opposition leader to face five to seven opponents at the same time.
But he took heavy flak from his detractors, who accused him of being disrespectful toward his political opponents.
“Mr. Anastassiades’ refusal to debate is an insult to political culture,” said AKEL deputy Nicos Katsourides yesterday.
“He’s trying to turn the election campaign into a peculiar duel [between himself and the President].”
Meanwhile the squabbling once again turned to football, with DISY questioning why the President did not attend the awarding of the trophy to cup winners APOEL on Saturday.
Papadopoulos is a fervent supporter of the Nicosia football club, which has traditionally been associated with the right-wing of Cypriot politics.
“First, the President had just returned from a trip abroad and for obvious reasons could not be there,” Government Spokesman George Lillikas explained yesterday.
“Second, may I remind DISY that during the last presidential elections the club had released a statement calling on its members and supporters to vote against Mr Papadopoulos.”
Asked whether this was why Papadopoulos did not make it to the award ceremony, Lillikas said:
“No, I’m simply stating a fact, something that took place in the past.”
“What’s more, it is not necessary for the President to attend such events,” he added.
