By Martin Hellicar
DIKO revealed yesterday that Attorney-general Alecos Markides was its chosen candidate in February’s presidential elections, but Markides again refused to say if he will stand.
“First of all I must say that the person we were talking about last week was Alecos Markides,” Diko leader Spyros Kyprianou said after marathon central and executive committee meetings of his party yesterday afternoon.
The announcement brought to an end weeks of speculation about who Diko’s mystery candidate for the elections would be, but it came as no surprise, Markides having been odds-on favourite.
“As soon as the candidacy is confirmed Diko intends to approve it,” Kyprianou said, adding that the decision had been unanimous.
In response, Markides said he was “honoured” by the confidence Kyprianou had shown in him, and also by the “urgings of citizens from all parts of the political spectrum who have asked me to think about being a candidate”.
“I will announce my final decision as soon as possible,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Markides had defended himself against government accusations that he was letting election talk “affect” his position as attorney-general by saying it was the “constitutional right” of any citizen to seek election.
Kyprianou admitted Diko was still “in negotiations” with Markides, but said the party had good reason to be optimistic about his standing. He indicated that the attorney-general was also talking to other parties before making his final move.
“The most important issue is the result of Markides’ contacts with all who might support him,” Kyprianou said.
Rumours circulated all day about what Diko’s move would be.
During the afternoon Diko meetings, committee member Christos Mavrellis was seen leaving the party’s HQ to visit Markides at his office.
“If Markides decides not to stand, we will take a new decision – we have various options,” Kyprianou said without elaborating.
“Markides would be an independent candidate, and not a party candidate, and it is up to him how he will handle things,” Kyprianou added.
He called on former coalition partners Disy, for whom Markides was a deputy, to throw in their lot behind Markides.
“If Disy is really interested in an alliance then let them support Markides. I am prepared to withdraw (my candidacy),” he said.
Kyprianou has been unable to secure support from anyone but Diko for his own candidacy. Disy is backing President Clerides in his re-election campaign.
Kyprianou reiterated yesterday that Diko would not back Clerides, not even if the election went to a second round.
Commenting before Diko’s announcement, Clerides said there was “no chance” of his stepping aside in favour of Markides or anyone else. And Disy leader Nicos Anastassiades dismissed suggestions a Markides candidacy would split the Disy vote.
But after Diko’s decision there were signs of this happening. Disy deputy Dimitris Syllouris said a Markides candidacy would be a “chance that should not be missed by Disy”.
But he declined to say whether he would back Markides if he decided to stand.
The other candidates in the running so far are former Foreign Minister George Iacovou, who has Akel’s support, Edek leader Vassos Lyssarides, United Democrats chief George Vassiliou, and Liberal leader Nicos Rolandis.
