SIMERINI: “Critical Synod meeting”. The Holy Synod was yesterday meeting to discuss the urgent matter of holding elections for a new archbishop. If one bishop requests that the elections be held, the clerics must take a vote either to accept or reject the proposal. If the balance changes, elections could be held within 40 days. During the last two votes, the majority of clerics opted not to go ahead with new elections.
PHILELEFTHEROS: “Change of guard at the presidential palace”. The Police Chief decided on Thursday to change the head of the presidential guard after a year and a half of service. The commander and deputy commander have been given transfers, which will take effect on Monday. A position in the presidential guard is a much-coveted position according to the paper, and in the past police officers turned to party sympathisers for some pull. The guard was recently reduced in size at the request of the president in order to reduce costs.
ALITHIA: “Creation of Cypriot Embassy causes problems”. The creation of a Cypriot Embassy in Ankara appears to be one of the points causing headaches for the Turkish government, while on the other hand Nicosia is encouraging this matter in an attempt to force its EU counterparts to put more pressure on Turkey to sign a customs union with Cyprus. According to Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sotos Zachaios, Cyprus cannot substantially participate in Turkey’s EU negotiations if it doesn’t have diplomatic representation in Ankara.
MACHI: “Nicosia prepared for rain”. Nicosia is prepared to deal with any problems created by this year’s rainy season, mayor Michalakis Zampelas said on Thursday. Zampelas said drains, water ducts and drainage systems had been created so as not create problems for people living in Nicosia in cases of heavy rainfall. By the end of the month, municipality workers will also clean out the drains in order to facilitate the flow of rainwater.
POLITIS: “Christofias to visit occupied areas”. Left-wing party AKEL has decided to go back to the route of rapprochement. According to the paper, its leader, Demetris Christofias, heading a group of party representatives, has made arrangements to visit occupied Karpassia and to meet with Turkish Cypriot party leaders. During Thursday’s AKEL meeting, members expressed their displeasure with the government’s policy on the Cyprus problem and the level of internal politics.
HARAVGHI: “Edifying spirit”. AKEL’s Central Committee discussed the results of the Euro elections on Thursday and in an edifying spirit reached certain decisions, which will be announced at a news conference at a later date. Meanwhile the party’s spokesman, Andros Kyprianou, said it was unacceptable that certain Greek Cypriots had told Minister Mehmet Ali Talat that nationalists had been included in the list of teachers chosen to teach at Rizokarpasso gymnasium.
