Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 97-11-06

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Thursday, November 6, 1997

Parties holding coalition discussions

DIKO's decision that its ministers in the Clerides administration resign their posts and the ongoing discussions and proposals among various political parties in connection with the February presidential elections continued to make front-page news in Wednesday's Greek papers.

Phileleftheros says that nothing is certain yet regarding the already formed or proposed coalitions for the elections.

According to the paper it is still doubtful whether socialist Edek party will accept Diko's proposal for a common candidate, following Diko party leader Spyros Kyprianou's comments that he would be ready to return to a Diko-Disy coalition if President Clerides decides not to stand for re- election and backs a Diko candidate.

Alithia notes that despite asking Diko ministers to resign Kyprianou is not ready to rule out a renewed coalition with ruling party Disy.

The paper also reports that Attorney General Alecos Markides is yet to come up with a clear answer as to whether he will run for the presidency or not.

Alithia says that President Clerides has made it clear to Markides that he will be on the candidate list in February but the Attorney General did not reveal his intentions.

Simerini is another paper that says that Diko does not wish to severe its relations with Disy despite their disagreements.

The paper says that Clerides was satisfied with his meeting with Markides implying that the Attorney General had assured the President he will not stand for the presidency.

Agon says that the Diko ministers were to hand in their resignations yesterday but adds that they would be present at Clerides' press conference tonight.

The paper reports that Clerides will announce his decision about the elections on Saturday.

Machi is the second newspaper to reveal that Alecos Markides is having second thoughts about being a candidate in next year's presidential elections.

The paper also says that Disy is pressuring Clerides to pick party members to replace Diko's ministers.

Haravghi reports Diko's decision to ask its ministers to resign and in a related story says that Markides is still undecided as to whether he should stand for the presidency.

The paper says that the Attorney General will await the outcome of the Diko- Edek attempts to forge a coalition before he takes a final decision. According to the paper Markides will not discouraged even by a confrontation with Disy if and when he decides to run for the presidency.

© Copyright 1997 Cyprus Mail

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