President to complete his term

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades “will not betray the decision of the vast majority of citizens and will complete his term, according to the Constitution and the mandate of the citizens”, a press release from the Presidency of the Republic points out.

Opposition parties AKEL and DIKO requested the resignation of the President of the Republic, responding to a proposal by the President of ruling party DISY for a possible dissolution of the House of Representatives and the announcement of early parliamentary elections. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 2021.

"Citizens honored President Anastasiades with a clear and strong mandate to rule the country for five years," says the press release.

The effort of the two parties, according to the Presidency of the Republic, "coincides with crucial developments in the Cyprus issue, with extreme Turkish challenges, which require the maximum possible unity of citizens and political leadership, at the same time that the health crisis caused by the pandemic of the coronavirus threatens the country with economic consequences ".

It is also noted that "this is not the time to put forward party interests and pre-election expediencies", but "the time for the greatest possible internal unity".

“Citizens who recognize the critical moments will judge and condemn such behavior," the presidency concludes.

Cyprus’ Green party and independent MP Anna Theologou submitted a proposal calling for the dissolution of parliament and the president’s resignation, in the aftermath of an Al Jazeera report about a passport -for -sale programme. President of the Parliament Demetris Syllouris and AKEL MP Christakis Giovanis resigned after the report.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.