AKEL weighs Mavroyiannis return as divisions deepen across the right

Politics akelalmadisyelectionsTop News AKEL weighs Mavroyiannis return as divisions deepen across the right Proedriko Stefanou Odisseas Mavrogiannis 1024x476 Relevant News AKEL weighs Mavroyiannis return as divisions deepen across the right 19 July 2026 Nine minority religious monuments restored in occupied Cyprus, Armenian monastery next 19 July 2026 Nixon’s undelivered letter to Ecevit and its alleged role in Cyprus’s invasion 19 July 2026 Frixos Dalitis 19 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Andreas Mavroyiannis is missing no opportunity to make his presence felt in public life ahead of the presidential election. He recently appeared on Fidias Panayiotou’s podcast. His energetic return to the spotlight has not gone unnoticed and can hardly be viewed separately from the emerging campaign atmosphere ahead of the 2028 presidential election. While intense manoeuvring and conflict are already taking different forms across the broader right, a quieter movement is developing behind the scenes within the wider left, suggesting that attention has already turned to the presidential race. Andreas — or someone else? The presidential election has not yet been formally discussed at AKEL headquarters. Unofficially, however, it is already occupying the party leadership. Statements made by Stefanos Stefanou from election night through to the selection of the new House president clearly signalled the party’s priorities and its next political objective. The AKEL general secretary has repeatedly said that the party’s next goal is a change of government based on progressive cooperation. This would essentially follow the model used in 2023 with the candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis: a candidate with a centre-right profile, extensive knowledge of the Cyprus problem after serving for years as negotiator, and positions capable of reaching beyond AKEL’s traditional audience. The argument made at the time in favour of Mavroyiannis, rather than Achilleas Demetriades, who was also under consideration, was that Mavroyiannis would have a better chance of winning in the second round if he managed to qualify. It is worth recalling, however, that during internal discussions at the party secretariat, Stefanou was among those who favoured Demetriades, whose profile and positions on the Cyprus problem were considered closer to left-wing voters. In any case, that is now history. Judging by the result, however, Mavroyiannis proved to be a successful choice. He attracted support beyond the left, comfortably reached the second round and secured a respectable share of the vote in the final contest against Nikos Christodoulides. That outcome will now weigh heavily in any decision taken by AKEL’s collective bodies. Mavroyiannis himself also understands this and is clearly seeking to convey to the party leadership that he remains available. He recently said during a television appearance that he would be interested in standing under certain conditions. It therefore appears clear that he would enter the presidential race if he secured AKEL’s support. The situation at AKEL headquarters There has been no formal discussion of the presidential election, but AKEL entered a new campaign period immediately after the parliamentary election. The party leadership began holding gatherings across all districts to thank voters and party members who worked during the parliamentary campaign. At the same time, it unofficially launched a new campaign, this time with the presidential election in sight. Information from AKEL headquarters suggests that the presidential chapter will probably open in September. This will also depend on developments in the Cyprus problem. Any sign of meaningful movement and a genuine prospect of substantive negotiations could delay the discussion. What appears certain, however, is that AKEL intends this time to begin the presidential process earlier than in previous elections and complete it quickly, allowing more time for campaigning. Stefanos as presidential candidate? Mavroyiannis should by no means be considered the automatic choice. What does appear to be gaining support, however, is the model that his candidacy represented. The political circumstances in 2028 are considered more favourable for a similar candidate. First, the broader right is fragmented. In 2023, the divide centred on Nikos Christodoulides running as an independent candidate and Averof Neophytou standing as DISY’s official choice. Today, the fragmentation is even greater. Christodoulides is certain to stand again, while at least three figures within DISY are already unofficially interested in entering an internal contest that is expected to leave political wounds. It is also considered highly unlikely that ELAM will not field its own candidate. Second, there appears to be a growing public desire for a change in government, driven mainly by discontent over several corruption cases that have come to light, including the recent findings of the Anti-Corruption Authority. Third, the parliamentary election result has increased confidence among both the party leadership and AKEL supporters that the next presidential contest could produce a victory. The crucial question is who will lead that effort and receive the party’s backing. Will it be Andreas Mavroyiannis or someone else? Could it be Stefanos Stefanou or Odysseas Michaelides? Although no formal reference has been made, Mavroyiannis’s name is clearly under consideration within AKEL, judging by the reactions and comments of party figures in private discussions. For many, the question is whether AKEL could easily find an alternative candidate with the same profile: someone from the centre-right, free from heavy party baggage, but with political experience and, in particular, knowledge of the Cyprus problem. On that basis, many believe there may be no alternative to Mavroyiannis, who is already a tested option. Stefanou’s name is also frequently mentioned in the scenarios being discussed. The AKEL general secretary has a broadly positive image and enjoys strong acceptance and popularity on the left. He is also respected among a wider section of the electorate. Despite his personal appeal, however, a Stefanou candidacy would probably struggle to attract voters beyond the left and centre-left. A presidential bid by AKEL’s general secretary would carry a strong party identity, which does not fit the criteria currently being considered by the party leadership. The primary goal is to build a broader social alliance of progressive forces in which AKEL would play the central role as the main political pillar of an effort to bring about change. A party candidacy cannot therefore be ruled out, but it does not appear to be the priority. The Odysseas Michaelides option The prospect of supporting Odysseas Michaelides is also considered remote. When the ALMA leader entered the political arena, he made the presidential election his principal objective. Circumstances later changed, however. Party sources at AKEL headquarters argue that, given the percentage Michaelides secured in the parliamentary election, he cannot expect a party with AKEL’s level of support to simply fall in behind him. Had ALMA secured a double-digit share of the vote, the situation would have been different — not because AKEL would necessarily have regarded Michaelides as its preferred solution, but because the party might have had little alternative. The parliamentary result has significantly changed the balance. AKEL figures also believe that cooperation with Michaelides would not be easy, both because of their political disagreements and because of the widespread view that he is a difficult partner in political alliances. Michaelides nevertheless appeared to be building bridges with AKEL after the election. His support for Stefanou’s candidacy for the House presidency, along with his position on other parliamentary matters, suggested an effort to establish closer links. AKEL begins from a different interpretation of the political landscape. Its view is that everyone is welcome within a progressive alliance aimed at political change. There is also the question of Irene Charalambidou. AKEL believes its former MP, with whom relations are strained, has political influence over Michaelides. Charalambidou favours an independent ALMA candidacy Statements made by Charalambidou during the past week have also entered the equation. She drew a clear dividing line between political cooperation with AKEL and ALMA retaining an independent presidential candidacy. “I do not want us to become trapped by the choices of others or by the logic of choosing the lesser evil,” she said, clearly referring to the possibility of supporting AKEL’s candidate. She argued that ALMA should retain its political independence and avoid choices that did not represent either the movement or those who had placed their trust in it. “I strongly support an independent candidacy if this is the political landscape before us,” she said. Her remarks are open to different interpretations. On the one hand, the prospect of an independent ALMA candidacy, probably led by Michaelides, could serve as leverage against AKEL by weakening the prospects of its own candidate. A single opposition candidate would undoubtedly have stronger prospects. On the other hand, contesting the election with its own candidate could allow ALMA to seek a stronger and more influential role in the second round. Would ALMA automatically support the AKEL-backed candidate in the second round? Not necessarily. However, if the left-wing candidate faced either Christodoulides or Annita Demetriou, ALMA might have little alternative. A possible Averof Neophytou candidacy could change the balance. Some observers also connect this scenario with ALMA’s apparent intention to stand with its own presidential candidate. Behind-the-scenes speculation suggests that Neophytou has channels of communication that could secure ALMA’s support in a second-round contest. This would carry greater importance if his opponent on the second Sunday were Christodoulides. For that scenario to become possible, however, the candidate on the left would first have to be eliminated from the second round. Such an outcome would create a major dilemma for left-wing voters. In any case, Neophytou maintains channels of communication with both ALMA and Direct Democracy. None of this may ultimately matter if he fails to secure DISY’s nomination through the party’s internal procedures. Reaching new pools of voters AKEL’s leadership wants to broaden the pool of voters available to its presidential candidate. Stefanou and other party officials have said the aim is to approach political forces from the wider centre that failed to enter parliament, including EDEK, DIPA and the Greens. AKEL has cooperated with the Greens on several occasions in parliament. The same applies to EDEK, particularly on social and economic policy. There is also dissatisfaction within DIPA towards the government and Christodoulides. The party’s vice-president, Marinos Kleanthous, has openly expressed complaints about DIPA’s relationship with the government. His name was previously discussed behind the scenes as a possible joint AKEL–DIPA candidate for mayor of Nicosia. DIPA and EDEK also supported AKEL’s Andri Hadjiandreou in the Aglantzia local election. “AKEL will also approach the forces that remained outside parliament and which together represent a group of voters much larger than either ELAM or DIKO individually,” AKEL MP Christos Christofides told the Sunday edition of Phileleftheros on 21 June. “We will approach the leadership and supporters of Volt, the Greens, EDEK and DIPA, as well as those who voted for the Hunters and others. “Above all, at a time when citizens cannot be regarded as belonging to anyone, we will reach out to society.” Concern across the broader right A degree of concern is developing across the broader right and is now being expressed both publicly and in private conversations by DISY and DIKO officials, as well as government figures. The concern centres on the fragmentation of the right. Former MP and Glafcos Clerides Institute chairman Haris Georgiades raised the issue twice during the past week, first in comments to Reporter and later on Sigma television. “DISY emerged strengthened from the parliamentary election,” Georgiades said. “I felt the need in recent days to warn about a risk: the possibility that the process of selecting a presidential candidate could get out of control.” He warned that such fragmentation could offer the left a golden opportunity to return to power. What is certain is that Christodoulides will stand and will draw several votes from DISY’s traditional pool. At the same time, however, he carries the political wear of government and the dissatisfaction of some voters who supported him in 2023. Although DISY headquarters sought to convey after the latest meeting of its Political Bureau that there was no presidential issue at present, Demetriou’s actions clearly show that she is strengthening her team through almost daily appointments to different positions. Her close circle is also encouraging internal polling and the testing of different candidate scenarios, with electability emerging as a central criterion. This argument is expected to be used against Neophytou in the internal contest. Neophytou’s interest in securing the party’s nomination is also taken as given. He is expected to present his political weight and experience as key strengths while also arguing that he would have greater electability in every possible second-round scenario. George Pamboridis has already announced his interest. His social media post the previous week about appointments and dinner gatherings was also a message to Demetriou and Neophytou that they should stop playing hide-and-seek. The emerging landscape points to an intense and prolonged internal period for DISY, creating reasonable concern over how the party will enter the presidential election. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Nine minority religious monuments restored in occupied Cyprus, Armenian monastery next Nixon’s undelivered letter to Ecevit and its alleged role in Cyprus’s invasion US renews strikes on Iran after two military personnel killed by Iranian attack Conflict-of-interest gaps return to spotlight after ‘State Mafia’ and Videogate appointments Police investigate attempted murder after 33-year-old seriously injured in Aradippou Minutes reveal how remains of 70 Assia villagers were dumped at Dikomo landfill Police arrest 19 in nationwide overnight operations Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.