Opposition centre Diko is contemplating the possibility of backing the not yet announced independent candidacy of former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides for the February 2023 presidential election.
But their top priority is to secure backing for their own leader – Nicolas Papadopoulos – primarily from the second-largest party which is main opposition left-wing Akel, insiders told Philenews.
Neither Papadopoulos, who has run for president once before and failed to make it, nor ruling Disy-affiliated Christodoulides who resigned on Sunday formally announced their candidacy yet.
But it is a public secret that third-largest Diko is strongly flirting with Akel which is to take final decisions in March arguing that Papadopoulos is a winning choice.
At the same time, Christodoulides whose right-wing party already decided to run with their leader Averof Neophytou, is believed to be a good candidate for the centre since it will attract voters from Disy as well.
Afterall, Diko insiders are aware that without Akel’s backing Papadopoulos could not make it to the second round again and that would be detrimental for the party.
As for Akel, insiders said they are still contemplating a number of possible candidacies, including that of former Health Minister George Pamborides.
Behind the scenes, the former Disy-affiliated minister had joined forces with Akel to push ahead with the introduction in Cyprus of the national health scheme.
