Nicosia, Cyprus. Diko leader Nicholas Papadopoulos on Tuesday declined to say whether he will seek the post of House president when the new parliament convenes next week. He said the party will take into account the intentions of the other parties entering parliament before making a decision.
Talks with other party leaders
Papadopoulos said of his meeting on Tuesday with Disy leader Annita Demetriou that they “exchanged views.” He added that “it is not right to say in public what has been said in private.”
He said Diko is seeking collaborations and that the effort is necessary. “Our intention to collaborate is valid from now on, and it has nothing to do with the presidency of the parliament,” he said.
Asked whether he intends to meet Elam leader Christos Christou to discuss possible cooperation during the coming parliamentary term, Papadopoulos said Diko would meet Elam and would not exclude any party. He added that the party would seek contacts with all parties and said he had also met Direct Democracy Cyprus leader Fidias Panayiotou.
Diko’s position after election results
Papadopoulos later described Diko as having a “heavy duty” as “the only government party in parliament and the only centrists.”
He stressed that “the question of leaving the government was never raised,” following weaker results for the other two government-supporting parties, Dipa and Edek.
It has been suggested that Diko and Disy could reach an agreement under which Disy would support Papadopoulos’ bid for House president in exchange for Diko backing Demetriou in the 2028 presidential election.