ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides said on Monday that he will not seek the presidency of the House of Representatives, describing such a scenario for his party as unlikely after the election of its four MPs.
Speaking after the official proclamation of the 56 newly elected members of parliament at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, Michaelides said ALMA was entering “a new beginning” and a new field of action, with a focus on delivering what it promised voters.
He said the movement would pursue institutional reforms and changes to the way the state operates, to the extent that these can be advanced through parliament. He added that ALMA would also seek, through parliamentary work and oversight, to promote transparency, rational decision-making in the public interest and the common good.
Asked about the election of the next House president, Michaelides said figures from what he described as the bloc identified by President Nikos Christodoulides, effectively referring to DISY, ELAM and DIKO, “cannot be an option” for ALMA.
He said the movement would examine whether any other alternative could emerge.
Asked directly whether he would stand for House president, Michaelides said no, adding that his own effort “remains in the leadership of the party”. ALMA, he said, is a new party taking its first steps, and he remains focused on that task.
Asked whether another ALMA MP could be put forward for the role, he said that, with four seats, this did not appear to be the most likely scenario.
Source: CNA
