Neophytou and Christodoulides part of the problem, not the solution, Akel says

Averof Neophytou and Nikos Christodoulidis cannot bring about the changes necessary for Cyprus since both of them are part of the problem, Akel general-secretary Stefanos Stefanou said on Sunday.

Akel has backed former Greek Cypriot negotiator in the Anastasiades administration, Andreas Mavroyiannis, as their presidential candidate.

Stefanou, during a party conference in Ayia Napa accused the Disy leader, Neophytou and the former foreign minister under Anastasiades, Christodoulides of being the protagonists of current situation.

Stefanou said there were two pillars that will determine success in the implementation of the goals set. The first pillar is “to modernise and renew the party, to evaluate, review and adapt its structures and processes to modern conditions and to the way society thinks, reacts and mobilises”.

The second pillar, he said, “is to open our party even more to society, to further strengthen his relations with the public”.

“The presidential elections are being held at a very critical turning point for our country. Their result will determine where our country and our society will go,” he said.

“Our country cannot continue to slide towards the consolidation of the division by passively watching the current developments, and in fact it should be considered by the international factor that the Greek Cypriot side is jointly responsible for the impasse when we have such a provocative and negative Turkey in front of us”.

This, he added, shows the failure by President Nicos Anastasiades to handle the Cyprus issue, and by extension neither would Averof Neophytou.

“Cyprus and our people deserve better,” he said.

In addition he said that Cypriot young people deserve a better life in general than what the future holds right now. “They cannot continue to live on half wages, with unaffordable housing and an uncertain future,” he said.

“Steering the state needs much more than smiles, handshakes and public relations. It needs vision, proposals, planning and determination for the benefit of the country and society for the benefit of the many and not the ruling elites.”