Georgiades first name to emerge for commissioner post

Names of possible candidates for Cyprus’ new European commissioner are being heard in corridors, with Harris Georgiades’ popping up as Disy’s most probable to be appointed.

Meanwhile, references to a “casus belli” between the party and the president of the republic were on Monday dismissed.

Disy president Annita Demetriou said the possibility of choosing Georgiades or another Disy officer for the position of Cyprus’ commissioner was not a casus belli (a situation said to justify a state in initiating war) for her party.

She wondered how it could possibly be a casus belli when President Nikos Christodoulides participates in the EPP with the approval of Disy.

Demetriou said it was necessary for Christodoulides to discuss the issue with Disy beforehand, so that the party could have a clear picture regarding his intentions and take a position.

For the time being, she added, Disy had not been informed and was awaiting the decisions of the president.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the person to be selected by the president would be directly linked to the portfolio Cyprus would be undertaking at the College of Commissioners.

He repeated the decision of current commissioner Stella Kyriakides to step down and return to Cyprus in the coming months.