Support for AKEL or abstention
ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides has said the movement will either support an AKEL candidate in the upcoming House Speaker election or abstain, ruling out backing nominees from DIKO, DISY, or ELAM.
Speaking on the Protoselido programme, Michaelides said the party had already defined its “red lines”, linking the House Speaker election directly to political developments ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
“We have made our exclusions with certainty,” he said, arguing that ALMA’s strategic objective is a change of government in 2028.
2028 calculations behind decision
Michaelides said ALMA could not support any outcome that would undermine that objective, specifically rejecting the prospect of backing DIKO president Nikolas Papadopoulos.
He argued that Papadopoulos’ election in the House Speaker election would benefit President Nikos Christodoulides’ political plans for 2028.
“When Nikolas Papadopoulos leads the main party of the governing coalition, do we want him to have the prestige of the House Speaker’s office in 2028 while supporting Nikos Christodoulides? No,” Michaelides said.
AKEL decision seen as decisive
The ALMA leader said the party’s final position will depend on AKEL’s next move.
According to Michaelides, if AKEL fields its own candidate in the House Speaker election, ALMA will consider offering support. If not, the options would be limited to abstention or a symbolic candidacy.
“If AKEL does not run, we will definitely abstain,” he said.
Michaelides also stressed that the vote carries added significance because of its potential impact on alliances and political momentum ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
Anti-corruption proposal planned
Addressing the role of ALMA in the new parliament, Michaelides said the movement would not adopt a policy of automatically rejecting proposals from other parties.
“We will not dismiss anything in advance simply because of where it comes from,” he said, adding that ALMA would support measures that align with its policies regardless of their origin.
He also outlined one of the party’s first legislative initiatives, revealing plans to submit a bill aimed at strengthening the powers of the Independent Authority Against Corruption.
Michaelides argued that the authority is currently “completely toothless” and requires significant reform to improve its ability to investigate corruption cases effectively.
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