Akel Secretary-General Stefanos Stefanou has reaffirmed the party's intention to return to power in the 2028 presidential election through cooperation with other political forces, revealing that he already has a potential candidate in mind for the race.
Speaking on Alpha Cyprus' Bras De Fer with Emilia Kenevezou, Stefanou discussed Akel's planning for 2028, possible candidates and the parties with which it hopes to build alliances.
"I have someone in mind"
Stefanou said he has a specific person in mind who could be proposed to the party's collective bodies, though he declined to reveal a name.
He stressed that agreement on key policy positions must come before the selection of a candidate.
According to Stefanou, the eventual nominee does not necessarily have to come from the front ranks of politics but should possess credibility, consistency and the ability to handle major challenges.
Asked about economist Tasos Yasemides, whose name has been linked to 2028 speculation, Stefanou replied that "no names are in play and all names are in play."
Regarding Andreas Mavroyiannis, whom Akel backed in the 2023 presidential election, he said Mavroyiannis had not been ruled out, although that did not mean he was the preferred choice.
Doesn't rule out himself
Stefanou said Akel's objective is to end its period in opposition.
"It will be the end of 13 years in opposition and we will be in government."
Asked whether he could be a presidential candidate himself, he did not dismiss the possibility, saying the decision would depend on discussions with other political forces.
"It doesn't mean that I must necessarily be the candidate. My ambition is to change things in 2028."
Talks with other parties
According to Stefanou, contacts with other political movements will begin in the coming days.
He specifically named:
- Alma
- Volt
- Ecologists
- Direct Democracy
He said discussions with other political forces may follow at a later stage.
On Diko, he questioned how cooperation could be possible with a party participating in the current government when the aim is political change.
He also argued that Disy has failed to convince as an opposition force because, in his view, it has remained too close to the government.
What he said about Pamboridis
Referring to discussions ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Stefanou said the name of former health minister George Pamboridis was never the subject of negotiations with Akel.
He said the name surfaced during discussions with Diko in an effort to clarify reports circulating at the time.
"We could not have discussed him because he was a minister in the Anastasiades government."
According to Stefanou, such a choice would have undermined Akel's argument that it was seeking political change.
Failing grade for Christodoulides on Cyprus
Stefanou was particularly critical of President Nikos Christodoulides' handling of the Cyprus issue.
Asked to assess the President's performance, he effectively gave him a failing grade, arguing that Christodoulides had failed to convince António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, that he genuinely seeks a settlement.
He also questioned the government's presentation of Guterres' response to the 19 proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot side.
On confidence-building measures, Stefanou said they could help generate momentum but could not replace the resumption of substantive negotiations.
He reiterated Akel's support for safeguarding existing convergences and the accumulated negotiating framework, while accusing the President of shifting his public positions on key aspects of the Cyprus issue.
Criticism of institutions and the rule of law
The Akel leader argued that Cyprus' institutions have suffered serious damage, criticising both the executive branch and the Legal Service.
He claimed the Legal Service does not operate with the required independence and repeated Akel's call for the resignation of its leadership.
He also referred to the "black van" case, criticising the invocation of the public interest without, as he argued, sufficient justification.
"Upgrades are not enough"
On the economy, Stefanou acknowledged positive assessments of the Cypriot economy and strong growth rates but argued that these indicators do not fully reflect living conditions.
He said social inequalities are widening and government support measures fall short of real needs.
Citing figures, he claimed that additional state revenues linked to inflation amount to €260 million, while support measures total only €70 million.
He also criticised government housing schemes, arguing that they fail to provide adequate solutions, particularly for young couples.
Retirement plans
Stefanou also touched on his personal political future, saying he plans to retire from professional life in approximately three and a half years.
He did not clarify whether that would also mean stepping down from the leadership of Akel.
Asked what would happen if Akel fails in the 2028 presidential election, Stefanou stressed that party decisions are taken collectively and that resignation is not necessarily the answer to political setbacks.
