Hunting and environmental awareness make up this week's electoral issues

On Tuesday the activity of the candidates for the presidency of the Republic continued with analyses of their positions and statements on various issues. The President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, also made a statement regarding the unity of the Democratic Rally (DISY).

"My only concern is the preservation of the unity of the historic party of the Democratic Rally," President Anastasiades said in a written statement issued on Tuesday, in response, as mentioned, to what is being said and written.

He added that what is required is to respect the decisions of the collective bodies of the party and to avoid any statements that cast doubt on the declared intentions of party members.

"Honoring consistently the above principles, I will express my positions through a strictly personal letter to the President of DISY", President Anastasiades said. 

At the same time, he adds, "I reiterate that I am at the disposal of Averof Neophytou to listen to any views or concerns he holds or maintains, as I have always done."

December 27 is the last day to apply for registration in the electoral roll, both online and in paper form, the Ministry of Interior said, calling on citizens of the Republic, aged 18 and over, who have been habitually resident in Cyprus for the last six months and are not registered in the electoral roll, to apply for registration on time.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, "those who are not registered in the electoral roll are entitled to register if, on the date of the Presidential Elections, i.e. by 5 February 2023, they will have reached the age of 18 years."

In addition, it invites registered voters who wish to exercise their right to vote abroad for the Presidential Election to submit a declaration no later than December 27.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior reminds that in the upcoming presidential election on February 5, 2023, and in case of a second round on February 12, 2023, polling stations will be open abroad for voters who are already registered on the electoral roll or will register by December 27, 2022.

A meeting with the President and members of the Executive Committee of the Cyprus Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Federation was held on Tuesday morning by the independent candidate, Andreas Mavroyiannis.

During the meeting, the issue of Akamas was discussed, as well as the need to strengthen environmental awareness in the country.

Specifically, the meeting focused on the Akamas Local Plan, where both parties views on the need to prevent the deterioration of the environment through the effective protection of the habitats, flora and fauna of the peninsula were found to be in sync.

At the same time, ways of supporting the Game and Fauna Service, the Federation and the Hunting Clubs were discussed with a view to further cooperation for better protection of habitats and wildlife.

At an event at the Paralimni Municipal Hall, independent candidate Nikos Christodoulides presented his proposals for tourism, praising the work done over the years in the tourism sector, as well as the contribution of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism in particularly difficult circumstances due to the external challenges of the pandemic crisis and the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As he said, the proposals were formulated based on discussions with industry professionals, and the existing strategy by the Deputy Ministry, and essentially reflect the issues that have been of concern and discussed over time among tourism stakeholders, taking into account international trends and how the tourism industry will contribute to the prosperity and quality of life of all residents of Cyprus.

Among other things, Christodoulides said that the aim is to further strengthen the market share in the targeted long-term markets, by expanding the target markets, which - as he said - was successfully done this year, especially by the EU Member States.