(Update)-AKEL approves Mavroyiannis for the presidential elections with 90pct of the vote

Former Cyprus problem negotiator and career diplomat, Andreas Mavroyiannis, won a resounding 90 per cent of the votes (891 votes) during Akel’s extraordinary pancyprian conference, which was called to approve his candidacy for the 2023 presidential elections.

According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), 99 participants at the conference voted against Mavroyiannis’ candidacy, which corresponds to 10 per cent.

A total of 999 delegates voted, 990 were valid votes, 9 were blank.

Akel’s extraordinary pancyprian conference started at 10 am on Sunday morning.

In a speech immediately after the results, Akel secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou stated that there are two paths in this presidential election – one is that of the two government candidates and the continuation of the Anastasiades government with all that it entails, such as corruption, intrigue and an uneven society.

“The other way, that of Andreas Mavroyiannis is that of a just state with a social dimension and policies that have the citizen and the common man at the centre,” he said.

“This new generation, to which we are primarily accountable, can no longer tolerate the so-called ‘créme de la créme’. It cannot stand corruption, intrigue and nepotism. It cannot tolerate authoritarianism and institutionalism. It cannot stand the economic stalemate, the unbearable punctuality, the mortgaged dreams,” he said.

“Our young people,” he added, “deserve a better country, demand a fairer country.”

Stefanou said Akel has received the messages of the times and listened to the anxieties of society as a whole, adding that the party believes Mavroyiannis has the qualities to express the demands and expectations of this new era.

“Society demands clear faces and clear policies. It asks us to step out of our comfort zone and seek partnerships with those who share the same anxieties as us,” he said.

“Because he is honest, without the slightest shadow of complicity. Because he is experienced, with a long track record in public life. Because he is determined to take Cyprus higher.” The decision to support him is an act of political responsibility, Stefanou concluded.

Following the announcement, Mavroyiannis, in a statement said that Akel’s support opens up prospects of broad dynamics with winning horizons.

Mavroyiannis thanked Akel and its members for their decision to support his candidacy in the presidential elections next February.

“This decision honours and moves me and confronts me with the responsibility of leading the great effort for real progressive change in the country and for creating conditions for a promising future”, Mavroyiannis said, adding that “this generous and unprecedented support opens up prospects of broad dynamics, with winning horizons” and allows him to announce his independent candidacy in the coming days.