**Our View: Candidates Already Eyeing the Presidency**
As the political landscape in Cyprus begins to shift in anticipation of the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for 2028, the focus on potential candidates is intensifying. Despite the election being 16 months away, political maneuvering has already become a prominent topic in the media, with one news website, known for its support of President Nikos Christodoulides, consistently covering the strategies and internal dynamics of various political parties.
President Christodoulides has publicly stated that he will not make a decision regarding his re-election until 2027. However, political analysts suggest that the groundwork for his candidacy has already been laid, with only an official announcement pending. Observers note that his recent appointments of members from the Democratic Party (Diko) and the Democratic Rally (Disy) to key government positions indicate a strategic effort to solidify his support within these parties.
In a recent cabinet reshuffle, Christodoulides appointed several Diko members, likely in response to concerns that Diko leader Nicolas Papadopoulos might seek to distance the party from the current administration. This move appears to have been effective, as some Diko ministers have publicly expressed their intent to support Christodoulides, even before any formal decision has been made by the party's governing bodies.
The situation within Disy is similarly complex. The party has been experiencing internal divisions, exacerbated by Christodoulides' clandestine communications with party leadership prior to the last election. The reshuffle saw a Disy parliamentary candidate appointed as deputy minister, while former Disy vice president Nicos Tornaritis received the unusual title of "presidential envoy for the Cyprus problem in Africa and Asia." These appointments have reportedly unsettled the party's leadership, particularly Annita Demetriou, who has been working to maintain party unity by offering titles to influential members.
Complicating matters further, three members of Disy are now vying for the party's presidential candidacy, a departure from the tradition where the party leader was the automatic nominee. While Demetriou is currently favored to secure the nomination, she faces potential challenges from deputy Giorgos Pamborides and former leader Averof Neophytou. Neophytou's recent announcement that he might run as an independent candidate has raised eyebrows, particularly since he failed to advance to the second round as Disy's candidate in the previous election. His independent bid could potentially fragment the Disy vote, posing a risk to the party's prospects.
Meanwhile, the left-wing party Akel has yet to finalize its strategy for the upcoming election. Recent speculation surrounding Sir Stelios Hadjioannou's potential candidacy was dismissed by the businessman himself, who stated he has no interest in pursuing a political career. Andreas Mavroyiannis, Akel’s candidate in the 2023 election, has claimed to be leading in opinion polls but has indicated that he will make a decision regarding his candidacy by the end of the year. His future prospects depend on Akel’s eventual endorsement.
Currently, President Christodoulides appears to be in a favorable position, having made significant inroads with both Diko and Elam, a far-right party whose newly elected deputies are reportedly close allies of the president. He has also been actively promoting government initiatives, such as increased pensions and expanded child benefits, using public appearances to take credit for these policies.
However, the rising inflation rate, currently at 4.5%, poses a potential challenge to Christodoulides' re-election efforts. If inflation continues to rise, it could lead to increased public discontent as citizens grapple with diminishing purchasing power.
As the political landscape evolves, the next 16 months will undoubtedly bring further developments. In politics, where circumstances can shift rapidly, the current state of affairs may not reflect the situation closer to the election.