The presence of President Nikos Christodoulides at the event of the Democratic Party (DIKO) for the 48th anniversary of DIKO and twenty years since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, which will take place next Sunday morning in Nicosia, is not merely symbolic.
It aims to send specific messages regarding the relationship between the two sides and their cooperation.
An event happening less than a month before the opening of the polls for the European elections naturally carries primarily an electoral character.
The battle of June 9th is a significant gamble, both on a party level for DIKO and on a personal level for Nikolas Papadopoulos. The outcome will be subject to various interpretations for the future of DIKO and the choices made.
The decision to support Nikos Christodoulides in the presidential elections of 2023 was certainly decisive in shaping the course of the decisions made by DIKO.
The evolution of the relationship between the two sides within the framework of cooperation is a matter tested by various occasions and events. Erosion may occur from both sides; however, at this particular moment, the weight is on Papadopoulos, who is called upon to lead DIKO into an electoral battle considered a fight for survival.
On the other hand, it would not be positive for President Christodoulides either to record a loss of percentages for DIKO, which would be interpreted as erosion in the support it provides to the Government.
In simple terms, it is time for Christodoulides to reciprocate the support received both pre-electoral and post-electoral from DIKO, attempting to reap benefits from the victories himself.
Papadopoulos in his public statements has always been supportive of the government’s work, even on issues where the government faced harsh criticism from all sides.
Moreover, DIKO is the largest party in the coalition and therefore the main pillar of support. It is the party upon which parliamentary collaborations can be built, playing a leading and regulatory role.
Also, due to Papadopoulos’s parliamentary experience, he can play a crucial role in the promotion of government bills in the House.
With these factors in the equation, President Christodoulides will not just attend the event but will be, along with DIKO President Papadopoulos, the only speakers at the event, which in itself carries a powerful symbolism.
From a party perspective, it is interpreted as a clear message of the importance that the President of the Republic attributes to his relationship with the largest partner in governance.
Christodoulides makes a gesture symbolizing his desire for DIKO’s success at the polls.
Furthermore, the presence of Christodoulides and several members of the Government expected to attend the event aims to send a message to the alarmed audience, according to circles within DIKO.
As party sources state, the position expressed mainly by the former party president Neophytos Neophytou, that in the European elections, a vote for DISY is a vote of no confidence in the Christodoulides government, has increased the leakage to ELAM of alarmed voters who voted for Christodoulides in the first round of the presidential elections.
As noted, for the President, this represents a negative development and he wants to send a message to this alarmed audience.
Moreover, the presence of Christodoulides at the event will be the clearest expression of respect towards the people and officials of DIKO, due to misunderstandings that may have arisen in the relationship between the party and the Presidency.
DIKO circles also point out that Christodoulides’ presence will be a way to close the chapter, attempted by some pre-election, to open up supposed rifts in the relationship between the President and the DIKO president.
Despite President Christodoulides’s participation in the European People’s Party, Christodoulides chooses, with his presence and speech, to clearly support DIKO, which has a presence in the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group.
