AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou has given party MP Irene Charalambidou a deadline until next Monday to provide a final answer on a proposal concerning the future of their political cooperation.
The ultimatum followed a second meeting between the two on Wednesday afternoon at AKEL headquarters, held to assess the prospects of continued political collaboration after the May parliamentary elections.
Background to the dispute
Charalambidou will not be included on AKEL’s electoral ticket due to the party’s term-limit rules. For this reason, Stefanou met with her on 3 September 2025, at which time he informed her of AKEL’s intention to establish an Anti-Corruption Observatory, with Charalambidou proposed as its head.
The renewed talks were triggered by Charalambidou’s recent remarks on the television programme Alpha Enimerosi, where she was asked whether she intends to seek a fourth term in the House of Representatives. She replied that she is “leaning in that direction”.
When asked whether she would run with ALMA, led by Odysseas Michaelides, Charalambidou responded pointedly that she has been accustomed “to leaps, even without a safety net, for the past 15 years”.
Rejection of AKEL proposal
According to Politis sources, these statements alarmed AKEL’s leadership, prompting immediate contact and the scheduling of Wednesday’s meeting to clarify her intentions.
During the meeting, Charalambidou reportedly reiterated her position that an anti-corruption observatory cannot operate under a party umbrella. She argued that Parliament itself is increasingly sidelined, often denied information needed to exercise effective oversight, and that under such conditions it would be unrealistic for a party-run body to scrutinise institutions or obtain meaningful data.
Speaking after the meeting, which began at 3pm, Charalambidou said discussions were held in a positive atmosphere. She noted that after fifteen years on the benches of the Left, the process is not an easy one. She added that she would do what the party leadership asks in order to facilitate AKEL, but stressed she is not willing to sit behind a desk or send the message that she is withdrawing from the fight against corruption.
She nevertheless reiterated that she has not yet made final decisions about her political future.
Contact with Michaelides
Charalambidou also revealed that she received a phone call from ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides, who requested a meeting to discuss potential cooperation. She said she informed him that her political schedule is currently full, including travel abroad, and that a meeting could take place toward the end of February.
According to Politis sources, Charalambidou believes that the role of an MP offers far greater capacity for oversight of power and institutions in matters of corruption and collusion than a party-based observatory. This assessment has intensified her internal dilemma over whether to seek re-election.
Deadline set for decision
During Wednesday’s meeting, Stefanou reportedly asked Charalambidou to clarify her intentions, stressing that AKEL had been placed in a difficult position by her recent public statements, which suggested she is inclined to seek another parliamentary term.
While Stefanou listened to her reservations regarding the feasibility of a party-run anti-corruption observatory, he asked her to reconsider AKEL’s proposal and provide definitive answers by Monday.
The same sources indicate that AKEL’s leadership is seeking clarity on whether Charalambidou intends to enter discussions with another political party. Political circles told Politis that a basic level of respect and transparency toward AKEL is required, noting that dialogue with another party cannot take place while she continues to sit on AKEL’s parliamentary benches.