The second round of the presidential elections in Cyprus this is a new electoral battle, which may contain surprises and upheavals in relation to the first. As everything shows, neither of the two presidential candidates will have an easy walk, because. Nikos Christodoulides and Andreas Mavroyannis have gained momentum in recent days. Regardless of who is elected, it is certain that a new political scene is being formed in Cyprus with a change in the party board. Nikos Christodoulidis came first in the first round of the presidential election with 32.04%, followed by Andreas Mavroyiannis with 29.58%.

Nikos Christodoulides, 49, who studied in New York and worked in the diplomatic corps, entered politics in 2014 when Nikos Anastasiades was looking for a successor to Christos Stylianides as government representative. Moderate, young and well educated, he was enthusiastically promoted to the position by the current finance minister Konstantinos Petridis, the journalist Makarios Drousiotis and, of course, the current foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides. Party chairman Averof Neofitou also applied for the post of DISY spokesman. His humble profile, his good relations with the media, but above all, the close connection he had with Nikos Anastasiadis, allowed him to quickly rise into the ranks of the ruling faction and occupy the very prestigious Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thus, he left far behind him politicians who believed that, unlike him, they were wrinkled and had a political price for the good of the faction.

However, even if some, such as then Finance Minister Haris Georgiadis and current Konstantinos Petridis, considered it a good wrapper, DISY President Averof Neophytou, but especially Nikos Anastasiadis, considered it valuable due to the high popularity he enjoyed. His popularity was such that it immediately became clear that his aspirations even reached the presidency. When Averof Neophytou realized this, he ran to run, but now it was too late to completely control the base and Nikos Christodoulidis himself, who was running for president as an independent candidate against the Democratic Anxiety.

Nikos Christodoulidis is the first politician who manages to get into the second round without the official support of a major party (DISY or AKEL), with the support of an intermediate space and a significant contribution from vigilant voters. He made it a priority in his electoral plan to shake up the Cypriot people by revitalizing the role of the EU. in that. As for the Guterres framework, he discusses it, but is ready to change some points. His political approach is considered to be tougher, and the main criticism he receives from part of the opposition and mainly from the leadership of DISY is related to his unclear position on the Cyprus issue. He reduced the imposition of sanctions on Turkey for provocations in the Cypriot EEZ, which finally came hand in hand, to the main political position of Cyprus. At the same time, he was criticized for the very close relationship he had with his then Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov, however, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he tried to stand out and criticize Russia’s position. On the economics side, he points out “how we shouldn’t play” in an attempt to allay financial concerns. He also talks about middle class empowerment and tax breaks.

It is clear what kind of support Christodoulides receives from Nikos Anastasiades, who on the night before the elections asked Neophyte to support his candidacy.

Nikos Christodoulidis, thanks to his positions in the Cypriot party, won the most right-wing audience. It is supported by the Democratic Party, EDEK, the Democratic Party and other extra-parliamentary parties of Cyprus such as Solidarity, Party of Animals and Hunters. He will be supported by a significant part of the far-right ELAM party, which gained 6% in the first round of elections, and DISY is expected to decide how the alarmist voters will position themselves after the party’s decision to vote. optional. However, he receives support from the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, who, since the night of the elections, has asked the President of DISY, Averof Neofitou, to unambiguously speak in favor of his candidacy. A movement that caused a split in the right faction.

Andreas Mavroyannis, 65, educated in Paris, has many years of experience in the diplomatic corps, holding all key positions. Among other things, he was the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN in New York, and then the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU, where he took the position of Deputy Minister for European Affairs under the President. He is considered to have great experience in the Cyprus issue, as he was a member of the negotiating team on the Cyprus issue under the administrations of Clerides and Papadopoulos, and under the administration of Anastasiadis he took on the role of a Greek Cypriot. negotiator. He opposed the Annan plan, and the fact that he played a leading role in the Crans-Montana negotiations was seen by some progressive voters as part of the responsibility for the poor outcome.

His relationship with Nikos Christodoulides during the latter’s time as foreign minister was particularly tense, and their public opposition to developments in the closed city of Famagusta intensified when Mr Mavroyiannis warned of serious action. While he has been criticized by many for his difficulty in criticizing Nikos Anastasiades during the pre-election period, his latest statements that the president spoke to him about a two-state solution and his desire to hold political figures accountable, if necessary, no matter how high they seem to have completely rallied the audience reacting to Anastasiadis’ politics – DISY. Regarding the Cyprus issue, he made it clear that he would call the Prime Minister the next day. UN representative António Guterres to come to Cyprus and resume the process of solving the Cyprus problem. In economics, he focuses on the middle class, as well as proposals to combat precision.

Andreas Mavroyiannis is supported by the left-wing party AKEL, and is now supported by independent candidates Achilleia Dimitriadis (2%) and Konstantinos Christofidis (1.56%), as well as a significant number of environmentalists. Even though most opinion polls showed him in contention for second place, with Nikos Christodoulidis clearly in the lead, Mr. Mavroyiannis managed to fully mobilize the left party, as well as get information from other areas. It is worth noting that his candidacy was supported by top managers of DISY. The first presidential candidate to be expelled and DISY President Averof Neophytou, current Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and current Finance Minister Konstantinos Petridis. The question is whether the mobilization of the DISI party apparatus in his favor will help him turn the tide and make a surprise.