Akel leader the possible winner in packed House presidency vote

With discussions over Thursday’s vote for the House presidency continuing on Wednesday, it appeared as if Akel leader Andros Kyprianou is in with a chance of winning, though parties kept their cards close to their chest, setting the stage for an interesting election.

So far, the House presidency was being contested by Disy, with MP Annita Demetriou – the first ever female candidate – Green party leader Charalambos Theopemptou, Elam chairman Christos Christou, Diko chief Nicolas Papadopoulos, and Kyprianou.

Akel appears determined to contest the election with its outgoing leader until the end, holding meetings with potential backers, except Disy and Elam.

“We simply judged that at this stage we ought to table our general secretary’s candidacy for reasons I don’t feel the need to explain: for his quality, credibility, and repute,” said MP Aristos Damianou.

To win the House presidency, Kyprianou would need the backing of other parties at some point in the voting process.

The peculiar three-round process allows all candidates to stand in all rounds irrespective of previous results. If all parties have a candidate and they all insist on them in all three rounds, then the winner would be the party with the most seats, Disy in this case.

Akel is looking to Diko for backing despite the latter fielding its own chairman – at least in the first round.

MP Chrysis Pantelides said the scenario where all parties insisted on their own candidate was not the most plausible.

“The procedure allows cooperation, and if you want, politics dictate collaboration,” he said.

In the past, alliances during the House presidency vote were a precursor for the presidential elections. It is not a secret that Papadopoulos wants to run in 2023 and to have a chance of winning he needs Akel’s backing.

Edek convened on Wednesday evening and decided to handle the matter according to conditions at the time of the vote.

It also authorised chairman Marinos Sizopoulos to stand as candidate if he saw necessary during the election process.

Dipa on the other hand was expected to either go with Disy or Kyprianou.

To win in the first round, a candidate must receive at least 29 of the 56 votes.

If not, a second round will be held with the winner needing to garner two-fifths of the present MPs, or 22 out of 56 with all legislators present.

In the third round, a candidate must simply secure the most votes. In the event of a draw, the process is paused, and parties consult among them until they resolve the stalemate.