Andreas Mavroyiannis says he and his team will decide by the end of the year whether to pursue a presidential bid in 2028, stressing that they will not wait for Akel to choose its candidate.
Speaking on Alpha TV, the former chief negotiator said a final decision would be announced no later than January, despite Akel's timeline pointing to a candidate selection process in spring 2027.
‘We will not wait for Akel’
Mavroyiannis said he respects Akel's internal procedures and understands why the party intends to make its decision closer to March or April.
However, he made clear that his own team will move earlier.
"It would be highly desirable for them to come and support us. But we will not wait for Akel to decide before taking our own decisions," he said.
A decision based on momentum
Mavroyiannis said the timing is linked to what he described as growing momentum around his potential candidacy.
He said his team will assess several factors before making a final call, including:
- Whether that momentum is sustained
- His perceived electability
- The emergence of other strong candidates
- The broader political landscape
At the same time, he acknowledged that a candidacy announced in January would not be irreversible.
"If the momentum fades, if Akel makes different choices, or if other political forces do not support us, and by the summer we're polling at 5%, it is not the end of the world to withdraw," he said.
Relations with Akel remain positive
Addressing concerns among some Akel members that he is attempting to impose his own timetable on the party, Mavroyiannis rejected the claim, arguing that pressuring the party to accelerate its processes would be more problematic.
He revealed that he met Akel general secretary Stefanos Stefanou three weeks ago, describing the discussion as constructive.
"It went extremely well and we simply agreed to remain in contact," he said.
According to Mavroyiannis, neither a rejection of his potential candidacy nor discussion of any alternative political role arose during the meeting.
Candidate debate under way
His comments come as discussion continues within Akel over its approach to the 2028 presidential election.
Party spokesman Charis Polykarpou has previously said the presidential race is "not a sprint", with planning focused on selecting a candidate during the first quarter of 2027 before approval by an extraordinary party conference.
Mavroyiannis is viewed by some within the party as a tested option with support among the base, although critics have questioned both the prospect of backing another independent candidate and aspects of his handling of the Cyprus issue in previous years.
Other names reported to be under discussion include Christos Stylianides, economist Tasos Yiasemides and negotiator Menelaos Menelaou.
Warning over UN leadership and Cyprus
Commenting on international affairs, Mavroyiannis said he believes none of the eight current candidates for the post of UN secretary-general will ultimately be elected because the United States is expected to veto all of them.
He warned that the appointment of a new secretary-general unfamiliar with the Cyprus issue could result in a prolonged period of stagnation in efforts to resolve the problem.
Asked about OSCE Secretary-General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, whose name has reportedly been mentioned as a possible candidate, Mavroyiannis described him as an exceptionally capable diplomat but added that he nevertheless represents Turkey.
