Former AKEL MP for Limassol Costas Costas has confirmed that he was expelled indefinitely from the party following a decision by its Limassol District Committee, reportedly over repeated instances of anti-party conduct.
“I was informed by telephone in early October that the Limassol District Committee had decided to expel me indefinitely from the party. I do not wish to make any further statement on the matter,” Costas told Phileleftheros.
His brief statement confirmed an earlier report by AlphaNews concerning the disciplinary action imposed following a report prepared by AKEL’s Central Control Committee.
Party sources confirm disciplinary action
Sources from AKEL’s headquarters on Ezekias Papaioannou Street also confirmed the decision, explaining that it followed a series of incidents involving conduct considered contrary to the party’s principles.
The indefinite expulsion represents the second most severe disciplinary measure under AKEL’s constitution, with permanent removal from the party being the most serious sanction.
Three parliamentary terms and internal disagreements
Costas served three terms as an AKEL MP for Limassol and received the highest number of preference votes.
However, under the party’s constitutional term limits, he was ineligible to seek re-election.
Exceptions were granted to Giorgos Loukaides and Aristos Damianou.
The possibility of granting a similar exemption to Costas was raised by AKEL’s General Secretary before the party’s Central Committee.
Nevertheless, the committee concluded that Costas did not belong to the party’s narrowly defined core political leadership, as specified in its constitution, and therefore did not qualify for an exemption.
Party sources had previously pointed out that Costas was no longer a member of AKEL’s Central Committee.
He had resigned from that body in September 2022, expressing disagreement with the party’s decision to support Andreas Mavroyiannis in the 2023 presidential election.
Source: Phileleftheros
Also read: AKEL removes Costas Costas from its ranks: The reasons behind the decision
