John Christodoulou leaves open a 2028 presidential bid

Nicosia, Cyprus. British Cypriot businessman John Christodoulou indicated on Thursday that he remained open to running for president in 2028. Speaking to Sigma, he described the choice as difficult and said he might reach a decision by early next year.

Political leanings and party contacts

Discussing his political sympathies, Christodoulou said: “my mind is with Disy, but my heart is with Akel”.

He confirmed that he had a close personal relationship with Fidias Panayiotou, the leader of Direct Democracy, while also holding discussions with people from other parties.

According to local media reports, Panayiotou had put Christodoulou’s name to party leaders, including Akel, but had received no response.

Displacement and the Cyprus problem

Christodoulou linked his concerns to his own displacement, saying he had left Cyprus when he was nine. He said he continued to feel the loss of property belonging to his parents and grandparents.

He argued that 52 years had passed without a settlement and that Turkey needed to resume negotiations.

“I am a refugee, we need to go back to our homes, we must confront the Turk who stole our land”, he said.

The Sigma appearance came after an ANT1 interview on Wednesday. In that discussion, Christodoulou said he found it unacceptable that efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem had produced no decision after more than five decades.

Personal reservations

Christodoulou said his manner of speaking and thinking was unlike that of a politician. He added that even close friends had questioned why he was considering leaving behind a comfortable life.

During the Sigma interview, he also acknowledged difficulties expressing himself in Greek and a limited vocabulary, repeatedly switching to English.