Former chief negotiator for Cyprus Andreas Mavroyiannis on Tuesday formally announced his presidential candidacy – a week later than scheduled as a mark of respect for the passing of labour minister Zeta Emilianidou.
Mavroyiannis, a career diplomat, is officially backed by main opposition party Akel after a special congress where 90 per cent of delegates voted to support him for the February 2023 election.
“Today is a very important day for me. I put at the discretion of my fellow citizens my independent candidacy for the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus in next February’s election,” he said in a written statement.
“In the long pre-election period before us I will try to convince you of both the strong legitimacy and the necessity of this candidacy, as well as on the best prospects that it opens for the country and its people.
“My candidacy is marked with modesty and humbleness, with absolute respect for institutions and people, with awe and sense of duty, with dedication, determination and ethos,” he also said.
