Former presidential candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis has declared his support for Akel -Left-Social Alliance in the upcoming parliamentary elections, saying the current political climate demands active civic engagement.

In a written statement issued from Geneva, where he is attending sessions of the United Nations International Law Commission, Mavroyiannis said Cyprus was at a critical juncture, as was the wider world, and that such circumstances required the public to remain engaged and assert their role in shaping developments.

“Unfortunately, our country is at a critical turning point, with tragic governance, institutional and moral decline, and mounting problems and hardships in people’s daily lives that are undermining the social contract,” he said.

He added that efforts to combat corruption and vested interests, alongside the pursuit of rational governance, respect, transparency and accountability, were being hindered by dysfunction in the public sphere and practices that were incompatible with a modern European democratic society.

“Our country and its people deserve much better and are entitled to demand it,” he said.

Mavroyiannis also referred to the alliance formed during the previous presidential election campaign, saying he had fought a common battle for Cyprus alongside Akel supporters, the broader left, the Social Alliance, other political forces and many independents.

“We continue to move forward together in the struggle for a better tomorrow for our country,” he said.