The President of DIKO, Nicolas Papadopoulos, remains committed to the vision of unifying the Centre. In an interview with Politis, he expresses confidence that DIKO will retain its pivotal role in the parliamentary elections in May. He responds to criticism over the transfer of party officials from other political forces and leaves open the possibility of seeking the presidency of the House of Representatives. He also describes cooperation with DISY in the next Parliament as imperative. Nicolas Papadopoulos issues a pointed warning of a geopolitical defeat worse than that of the S-300s should the GSI effort collapse.
For the first time, DIKO risks losing its pivotal role and could fall to fourth, or even fifth, place. Why has this negative development emerged for the party?
We believe that, with a strong slate of candidates and sound political positions, we will retain our pivotal role. The negative development you refer to stems from society’s disappointment and disillusionment with the entire political system. In my view, recent years have not been the finest for the traditional political system. Memoranda, bankruptcies and scandals have shaken citizens’ trust in politics.
The tragic irony is that this climate has taken shape at a time when the fundamentals of the Cypriot economy are the strongest they have ever been. We have the highest growth rate in Europe, conditions of full employment, and strong performance across all sectors of the economy. We understand the bitterness and anger of people towards those who bankrupted and humiliated the country. However, we warn that everything our people achieved through sacrifices in recent years could be torn down overnight if irresponsible, destructive and extreme political forces prevail in Parliament.
Unification of the Centre
Why did DIKO take so long to raise the issue of unifying the centrist space and not pursue earlier gestures of rapprochement with the parties of the intermediate space?
From the beginning of the year, at our Political Congress, the Democratic Party placed strong emphasis on the need to safeguard and strengthen the centrist space as a guarantor of security, stability and social and economic normality. For this reason, we issued a public and official invitation for cooperation to anyone who shares our vision of a free and prosperous Cyprus.
We remain ready today to turn the page and work together so that the Centre remains strong and decisive. Unfortunately, our invitation did not receive a positive response from the political parties of the intermediate space. It did, however, receive a positive response from political figures who believe that the challenges ahead require cooperation by all.
DEPA claim that you did not support any of their candidates for mayor or deputy mayor in the 2024 local elections.
I genuinely do not understand what they are referring to, as DIKO did support DEPA candidates. For example, we supported and secured the election of the Deputy Mayor of Engomi in the most recent local elections, who comes from DEPA. We also believe that our cooperation at parliamentary level is productive and constructive. We speak in political terms and believe that what unites us is greater than what divides us.
Many consider the transfer of MPs from EDEK and DEPA to be politically inelegant, noting that both parties are part of the governing coalition with DIKO.
Political transfers have always existed and will continue to exist, particularly within a political space where there is significant convergence on issues and positions. In the past, during previous electoral contests, there were cases in which DIKO officials left our party and cooperated with EDEK and DIIPA.
This is precisely why we issued an invitation to turn the page, overcome past differences and work together for a strong Centre.
House of Representatives
Will you seek the presidency of the new House of Representatives?
No one can predetermine at this stage who may seek, or who may become, President of the House. This depends on the number of seats held by each party after the elections. For that reason, it is a discussion that can only take place once the elections are over.
What do you consider the greatest threat ahead of the May elections?
That extreme and destructive forces of economic bankruptcy prevail in Parliament — forces that can, with great ease, dismantle everything our people built through sacrifices in recent years on the altar of populism and party interest.
DISY
Much is written and said about post-election cooperation between the Centre-right and DISY. Is there such a prospect?
I believe that the continuation of cooperation with the Democratic Rally in the next Parliament is imperative. After all, we have worked with DISY, even when we were in opposition, to bring the country into the euro, to lead Cyprus out of bankruptcy and the Memorandum, and to place the economy on a growth trajectory that today ranks among the strongest in Europe.
Therefore, not only is there a prospect of cooperation with DISY in Parliament, but I believe this cooperation is the only shield our people have against the economic destruction that the forces of extremes and populism would bring if they prevail in the next Parliament.
Electricity interconnection
Are you building a narrative for withdrawing from government over the GSI? Where exactly do you disagree?
We are concerned about the delays and contradictions we hear from government officials regarding this project, which we consider to be of geostrategic importance for Cyprus. The GSI will provide cheaper electricity, end our energy isolation and transform Cyprus into an energy corridor for the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
We note that Cyprus and Greece fought battles in the past to exclude Turkey and the occupied areas from the European energy network. We fear that, if this project collapses, Turkey and the occupied areas will re-enter Europe’s energy game. Should that happen, it would constitute the worst geopolitical defeat for Cyprus since the S-300s.
President Christodoulides
What is your relationship with the President of the Republic? Do you take decisions jointly, seeing as you're part of the government?
With regret, I must admit that cooperation with the President is not at the desired level. We believe in the government programme and wish to assist in its implementation. However, it is the President of the Republic who must decide whether he wishes to improve the way his administration operates or continue with a problematic partnership.
DIKO has not given this government unconditional support, and we will disagree whenever and wherever we believe it is making mistakes.
This article was originally published in the Politis daily newspaper.