Presidential candidate says all should have equal air time

All presidential candidates should have equal media time to present their positions to the public, former UCY rector Constantinos Christofides, who is running for president next year, said on Tuesday.

This time “should be fairly divided between peak and low-peak hours,” he further explained, as he slammed state broadcaster CyBC for promoting only a selective group of three candidates.

He was referring to ruling Disy leader Averof Neophytou, former chief negotiator for the Cyprus problem Andreas Mavroyiannis and former foreign minister Christos Christodoulides. The latter two, running as independents, were both appointed to their posts by current President Nicos Anastasiades. They have since been backed by Akel and Diko respectively.

According to Christofides, who is the leader of New Wave – The Other Cyprus, Mavroyiannis and Christodoulides do not have the same treatment as other independent candidates as “CyBC…turns a blind eye”.

He reminded that the state broadcaster “is funded by the taxes of all citizens and is not owned by the parties.

“It is also important to remember that citizens elect a president in a state with a presidential constitution… The criterion of party support for the timing of the candidates is highly absurd and undemocratic.”

The physics professor announced his presidential candidacy last month, criticising the “parties in power” and the “worn-out political system”.

“We don’t want our children disgusted to be forced to emigrate, we don’t want to be ashamed to show our passport. We deserve and can do better,” he said.