AKEL gewinnt bei Wahl in Zypern

Zypern: Bei der Parlamentswahl im griechischen Teil Zyperns am 22. Mai 2011 wird die linke AKEL (Anorthotikon Komma Ergazemenou Laou) auf 132.171 Stimmen bzw. 32,67 Prozent und 19 von 56 Sitzen gestärkt (2006: 131.066 Stimmen bzw. 31,16 Prozent der Stimmen und 18 Sitze), verliert aber ihre Position als stärkste Partei.

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Statements of the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL Andros Kyprianou on the results of the 2011 parliamentary elections

22nd May 2011, Nicosia

The conditions, in which the election list of AKEL-Left-New Forces was called upon to wage this election battle, stated the GS of AKEL Andros Kyprianou, were very difficult and tough and dominated by the world economic crisis.

The GS of AKEL said that ruling parties in other European countries are losing a large percentage of their strength, whilst others suffer huge losses and collapse. „AKEL not only did not lose strength or was wiped out, but on the contrary it has managed in very difficult and adverse conditions to increase its percentages“, Furthermore, he added, AKEL managed to fulfil the goal it had set out totally. The 21st Congress of AKEL, he said, had set out as its goal the election of AKEL as a leading power with strong support. „We have achieved this goal to the upmost and we did not merely just hold on in view of the political criticism we faced over the last years“. We proved, he stated, that AKEL remains powerful, a force of the people.

This is due, he added, to a number of factors and mainly due to the long-standing policies upheld by AKEL. It is due to the long-standing wisdom, consistency, seriousness and responsibility AKEL approaches the issues with regards the Cypriot people as a whole. In addition, this is also due to the rich and multifaceted work carried out by the Demetris Christofias government over the last three years. It is due to the support of parties and movements who we thank. Furthermore, we thank the New Forces and the Support Groups of the candidacy of Demetris Christofias who in this election campaign joined forces with AKEL. We particularly thank the 56 candidates of AKEL-Left-New Forces for the work they carried out with selflessness and consistency. „Above all I would like to thank the thousands of cadres, members and friends of AKEL who over the past months have literally knocked on every door all over Cyprus, conveying the message of our election list“.

The General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL particularly thanked the youth people and EDON (Note: the youth organisation of the Left) that played a very significant political role and I consider that its role was very decisive in the electoral success we have attained as an election list", adding that they justifiably enjoy the complete trust of the Party and are asserting a greater participation in decision-making in the country.

The GS of the C.C of AKEL expressed concern about the high rate of abstention, stating that it is an issue which AKEL will study carefully in order to diagnose the precise reasons and it will attempt to take the necessary measures so that the phenomenon will be tackled and curbed. The GS of AKEL stated that unfortunately political parties and figures are behaving in a way which is leading to a greater aversion of political life among public opinion and especially the young people. „It is something we must all take heed off“. We must, he continued, turn political parties into examples to be followed and not to be avoided.

The atmosphere that prevailed especially over the past few weeks is not unrelated to the phenomenon of abstention, the GC of AKEL assessed, stating that the levelling and aphoristic criticism against the President of the Republic and AKEL has contributed even more to the aversion of political life by a section of the Cypriot people and this is something that should be a cause of reflection by all.

Our work does not end with the election result, but on the contrary, our work is just beginning about how to formulate the preconditions to lead Cyprus to the future and build together the Cyprus of the future, he added. All through this period, he continued, we listened to the problems and complaints of the Cypriot people and AKEL will deal with them very seriously, seeking to find solutions. He pledged that AKEL would work to achieve the greatest possible unity as regards the efforts to achieve a solution of the Cyprus problem. If we truly want to create conditions of lasting stable peace, conditions of security and stability for the whole of the Cypriot people, conditions that will allow for steady development, progress and prosperity for the people as a whole, we have to work tirelessly for a solution of the Cyprus problem based on principles and the agreed framework, for a solution that would be just, under the circumstances, functional and viable, a solution that would reunify our island and people.

Referring to the issues on the economy, the GS of AKEL stated that unquestionably the consequences of the crisis that have also been felt in Cyprus too in recent years, have affected the election result. The goal, he added, is the greatest possible cooperation and to seek contact and an exchange of views so that there will be the greatest possible consensus. However, the General Secretary of AKEL clarified that AKEL will not accept the approval of measures in an anti-peoples direction, expressing at the same time the readiness to cooperate with all on the precondition that the measures to be taken will take into account the capabilities of each one from the Cypriot people to contribute to the effort to tackle the consequences of the economic crisis.

With regards the relationship with the Democratic Party, the GS of AKEL said that „before us arises the pressing need to enhance this cooperation and further consolidation it and we as AKEL shall seek to work in this direction. At the same time, AKEL extends the hand of cooperation towards all the progressive parties, to every progressive Cypriot citizen“. The greatest possible cooperation is imperative, he said, so that Cyprus can go forward.

I address the proud, as he said, people of AKEL, and thank it on behalf of the entire Party leadership for the hard struggle they have waged over the last months. „We reaffirmed that AKEL is here, powerful and strong to defend the rights and gains of the working people, and the Cypriot people as a whole“. We shall all work together for the implementation of the programme of governance of Demetris Christofias, the fulfilment of the pledges that were made to the Cypriot people, working to build the Cyprus of the future, he noted.