A New Communist Surprise – What's Next? Presidential Elections in the Republic of Cyprus, February 2008
2008; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 13; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/13608740802158964
ISSN1743-9612
Autores Tópico(s)European Union Policy and Governance
ResumoAbstract The election of the communist party leader to the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus constituted a surprise for many, despite the party's broad appeal. This article argues that this achievement can be explained by the party's choices and adaptation to changing conditions on the island and in the world. Cautious changes to ideology kept on board old voters, while broadening the party's appeal beyond its traditional electorate. At the same time, AKEL has shown restraint and patience for decades before contesting executive power. This course, along with the personality of the new President, played a decisive role in AKEL's success. Keywords: CyprusPresidential ElectionCommunist PartyCleavagesChristofiasAKELDISYDIKO Notes [1] See the Decision of the 18th Congress, online at http://www.akel.org.cy/English/synedrio18politapof.html (downloaded on 24 March 2008): 'AKEL contests and demands the share of power that rightly belongs to it and is prepared to undertake the relevant responsibility. AKEL does not simply support candidates but also contests a role and a say in the administration of this country, when and if the candidate it will support, wins the Presidential Elections.' [2] Later, his attacks on the Swedish Foreign Minister in December 2007 caused a row with Sweden. See interview of the Swedish ambassador to Nicosia in Politis, 23 December 2007, 16. [3] See http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 (accessed April 13, 2008). In October 2006, when it was disclosed that a foreign company had donated 86,000 euros to Papadopoulos' 2003 campaign, the President memorably stated, 'I am not concerned'. [4] Marios Matsakis, 53, a former DIKO MP was elected to the European Parliament on the DIKO ticket in 2004, but later expelled from the party on the basis of charges of corruption and illegal trading in antiquities that were not substantiated before the courts; Kostas Themistocleous, 59, is a former minister of Agriculture in the Clerides government and former secretary general of a minor party, EDI (Eνωμνοι Δημοκρτϵς – United Democrats), whose candidacy aimed to support the Annan Plan; Costas Kyriakou Outopos, a farmer and writer, who was also a 2003 candidate, campaigned for a 'new city-state', a Utopia based on Plato's Republic; Christodoulos Neophytou, a London-based businessman presented his plan for Iσοκρατíα – Equality in Power, where decisions would be taken by the people and not by the leaders; Andreas Efstratiou, also a candidate in 2003 and in the last two parliamentary elections, campaigned to support the rights of families with many children; and Anastasios Michael, a health researcher, promised to find the right solution to the Cyprus issue and other important problems. [5] Study by Gnora Communications, Phileleftheros, 9 March 2008, 16. [6] Study by Gnora Communications covering island-wide television channels, billboards, daily newspapers and weekly/monthly magazines. http://www.gnora.com/articledetails.php?ArticleID = 988 (accessed 15 April 2008).
Referência(s)