AKEL has sent a strong message that it pursued cooperation with MP Irene Charalambidou until the very end, according to party spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas, who spoke on the show “Protoselido“. He emphasised that all proposals for continuing collaboration were ultimately rejected by Charalambidou herself.
Despite being bound by term limits for its MPs, AKEL sought ways to maintain the partnership. The party offered to establish an observatory focused on corruption and the rule of law, a field where Charalambidou has demonstrated notable activity. She rejected the proposal and submitted no alternative suggestions to continue working with the party.
Direct communication confirms stand
Koukoumas noted that the party’s position was reinforced through a phone call between Charalambidou and AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou. The conversation raised a clear political question: whether she intended to continue her parliamentary journey with AKEL and the Left, or pursue other political options. The question received no definitive response.
He emphasised that the party operates with clarity and principles. “It is not logical for someone to sit in AKEL’s benches while negotiating with other political formations,” he said, underlining that official party decisions would follow.
Seat ownership and term limits
Regarding the parliamentary seat, Koukoumas reiterated AKEL’s longstanding position: a seat belongs to the party list that elected the MP, not the individual. Given the remaining two months of the current term, no one can force a resignation or return of the seat.
He acknowledged Charalambidou’s repeated top ranking in preference votes but stressed that term limits apply collectively, not individually. AKEL recently reduced the maximum allowed terms from three to two, allowing exceptions only for a limited number of leadership positions to maintain the link between the parliamentary group and daily party functions.
Consistency across party decisions
Koukoumas stressed that similar rules apply to other experienced MPs, clarifying that the party’s approach is neither personal nor circumstantial. He highlighted that AKEL values political contribution beyond holding office, and the party made every effort to continue cooperation with Charalambidou.
Preparation for upcoming elections
Turning to the upcoming election, Koukoumas said AKEL is ready to campaign on the party’s policies, proposals, and values. The party list includes young candidates, women, and members from the social alliance. He asserted that the real focus should not be personnel changes but how parties address major social issues, citing the taxation of bank windfall profits as an example.
He added that, had AKEL retained an additional MP, resources would already support thousands of borrowers, highlighting the tangible impact of electoral representation.
Fighting corruption and organised crime
Koukoumas warned of a “suffocating landscape of decay, collusion, and corruption” that provokes anger and insecurity among citizens. He cited cases under investigation by European and national authorities, noting that the problem lies not in law-making but in law enforcement and institutional functioning.
He concluded by raising open political questions about the accountability of the country’s leadership. “If trust and effectiveness at the top are not restored, who can ultimately hold anyone accountable?” he asked.
Also read: AKEL: Charalambidou’s position places her outside party
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