Cyprus-Forum.com

[YFred]

Garoyian faces an uphill battle against hardliners

MOST PAPERS have interpreted the results of the weekend’s DIKO elections as a defeat for the party’s leader Marios Garoyian, with none of the three main posts being contested – deputy leader, vice-president, general secretary – going to candidates who had the leader’s backing.

All three went to members of the party’s hardline wing, which had been demanding a more critical approach to President Christofias’ handling of the Cyprus problem.

Until now, Garoyian had managed to limit criticism of Christofias, by dictating a more moderate stance on the Cyprus problem and forcing the more zealous members to toe the line supported by party organs. But with the hardliners now in control of the party organs, the DIKO leader will find it much more difficult to perform the same balancing act and restrict the attacks on his ally the president.

In the past, whenever one of the DIKO hardliners attacked Christofias, Garoyian would respond by publicly stating that the party was fully behind the president and that individual members were merely expressing personal views. He will not be able to cite the party organs any longer and he does not seem the type of leader who would impose his views on his party. In other words, he will have to follow the line to be imposed by the hardliners if he wishes to stay in charge of the party.

This would almost certainly cause problems to the government alliance and the president is unlikely to tolerate frequent criticism from his coalition partner. Both the vice-president and the deputy leader have repeatedly slammed his policies on the Cyprus talks and with the party now behind them, they are certain to step up the criticism. These conservatives are strongly opposed to the talks which, they maintain, would lead to an unfair settlement.

In a way this is a good thing, because it might force Christofias to put an end to the balancing act he is performing in order to keep his hardline coalition partners on side. It may finally dawn on the president that he cannot rely on the support of his government partners in pursuing a settlement.

If he moved to within range of an agreement with Talat, EDEK and DIKO would be campaigning against the deal. This is why he should consider the option of forging some form of alliance with DISY, which, despite not being a member of the government coalition has backed his policy on the national problem.

In fact this is his only real option if his commitment to a settlement is genuine. He should form a government alliance of parties supporting a compromise deal because, when it comes to decision-time, he will not be able to take on the hardliners on his own. But first he must overcome his ideological prejudices, which prevent him and AKEL from striking a deal with right-wing DISY. If he can do this, he would not have to worry about the DIKO’s hardliners making life difficult for him.



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009


The real question is what will he do?

[bill cobbett]

All I can say is that governments need effective oppositions.

[YFred]

All I can say is that governments need effective oppositions.

That does not answer the question. Which way will he go?

Will he stick or will he twist. And I don't play cards.

[bill cobbett]

All I can say is that governments need effective oppositions.

That does not answer the question. Which way will he go?

Will he stick or will he twist. And I don't play cards.

In the CY context, what I'd like to see is a more hard-line opposition but I know less about Cy politics than I know about poker (which is bugger all).

[YFred]

All I can say is that governments need effective oppositions.

That does not answer the question. Which way will he go?

Will he stick or will he twist. And I don't play cards.

In the CY context, what I'd like to see is a more hard-line opposition but I know less about Cy politics than I know about poker (which is bugger all).

Will that take us to a solution?

[bill cobbett]

All I can say is that governments need effective oppositions.

That does not answer the question. Which way will he go?

Will he stick or will he twist. And I don't play cards.

In the CY context, what I'd like to see is a more hard-line opposition but I know less about Cy politics than I know about poker (which is bugger all).

Will that take us to a solution?

There are of course many "solutions" and an effective opposition does mean that other views are heard. This gives legitimacy to the process, whatever the outcome.

[Get Real!]

All I can say is that governments need effective oppositions.

That does not answer the question. Which way will he go?

Will he stick or will he twist. And I don't play cards.

In the CY context, what I'd like to see is a more hard-line opposition but I know less about Cy politics than I know about poker (which is bugger all).

Will that take us to a solution?

Not the one you have in mind that's for sure. Christofias does not represent the majority GC viewpoint. Turkey and her supporters don’t belong in Cyprus and it’s as simple as that.

[Get Real!]

The correct solution is as follows:

1. The “TRNC” is disbanded.

2. Turkey withdraws completely taking her settlers with her.

3. The RoC constitution is adjusted to remove all racist and archaic garbage and replaced with democracy.

4. The RoC extends her rightful control to all four corners of Cyprus.

5. Fresh Cyprus-wide elections are held.

6. Cypriots get on with a modern and prosperous life.

[insan]

All I can say is that governments need effective oppositions.

That does not answer the question. Which way will he go?

Will he stick or will he twist. And I don't play cards.

In the CY context, what I'd like to see is a more hard-line opposition but I know less about Cy politics than I know about poker (which is bugger all).

Will that take us to a solution?

Not the one you have in mind that's for sure. Christofias does not represent the majority GC viewpoint. Turkey and her supporters don’t belong in Cyprus and it’s as simple as that.

What's wrong with Turkey and her supporters in Cyprus? Since there has always been Greece and Greece supporters in Cyprus; why not Turkey and her supporters? When GC and Greek government officials meet, they always reaffirm how compatible is their opinions regarding their common national cause.

[insan]

The correct solution is as follows:

1. The “TRNC” is disbanded.

2. Turkey withdraws completely taking her settlers with her.

3. The RoC constitution is adjusted to remove all racist and archaic garbage and replaced with democracy.

4. The RoC extends her rightful control to all four corners of Cyprus.

5. Fresh Cyprus-wide elections are held.

6. Cypriots get on with a modern and prosperous life.

Sorry but it's only possible in ur dreams.