Disy leader mulls Akel’s choice of presidential candidate

There are two options in the next presidential elections, according to ruling Disy leader and presidential candidate Averof Neophytou – the stability of the country with a Disy government, or a take-over by the current opposition.

Speaking on the sidelines of a rally in Limassol, Neophytou noted that the Disy government has put the economy back on a solid footing and warned that the choices for citizens are clear in the face of an upcoming global economic crisis due to international developments, Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported.

Commenting on statements made by Akel’s secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou on the country’s credibility, Neophytou noted that he agreed on the importance of the credibility of the state.

“We know only too well the challenges we faced with an unreliable country on the brink of collapse that we were handed back in 2013,” Neophytou said.

Regarding Akel’s choice of presidential candidate in Andreas Mavroyiannis, Neophytou said that Stefanou had in the past accused the Disy government of being the “gravediggers” of the Cyprus issue. “And now, they choose the negotiator of the Disy government and Nicos Anastasiades as their candidate. I’ll leave it there without further comments,” Neophytou added.

Meanwhile, the Disy leader pledged to support the island’s refugees by strengthening the refugee policy and compensation scheme for the loss of property due to the Turkish invasion, stating, however, that the most essential refugee policy is the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

“I cannot promise that billions will be put in, but based on the capacity of the state, a fund for loss of use should be put in at the first opportunity and the first budget, as recognition of the right of loss of use,” he noted.

At the same time, he described the conversion of Tymbou airport into a domestic airport of Turkey as an attempt to “Turkify” the occupied territories.