Stefanou denies Akel approached Yiasemides over presidential candidacy

Nicosia, Cyprus. Akel general secretary Stefanos Stefanou has rejected reports that the party approached economist Tassos Yiasemides about a potential presidential bid. He said discussions with other parties would precede consideration of candidates.

Stefanou rejects reports of contact

In an appearance on Politis radio on Monday, Stefanou said neither he nor anyone else in Akel’s leadership had contacted Yiasemides about running for president.

Stefanou said he knew the KPMG partner’s appearance only from a photograph, which would allow him to recognise Yiasemides if they met socially.

Reports published last week suggested Yiasemides had been proposed during a meeting with Akel’s leadership following a recommendation from former Edek leader Nikos Anastasiou.

Yiasemides, who leads KPMG Cyprus’s economics department, declined at the time to confirm or reject those reports. He said he had read and heard them but had nothing to say at that stage.

Programme to come before candidate selection

Stefanou said Akel had not compiled a candidate list. Its first objective, he said, was to reach agreement with other political forces on a shared programme, then consider names with a view to supporting someone capable of attracting the broadest possible backing among parties.

He said a candidate would have to satisfy requirements concerning the Cyprus problem, economic policy and social matters.

Stefanou left open the possibility of running himself in the 2028 election, saying the party regarded that as an option.

Akel is to start talks with opposition parties, including Alma, the Ecologists and Edek. Edek’s conference is scheduled for December.