“People’s expectations are very high, and for me it’s a very big bet to meet those expectations,” he said today. the new President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulidis.

In his statements to journalists, after the handover ceremony at the Presidential Palace with former President Nicos Anastasiades, the President of the Republic said that “from tomorrow, immediately after the swearing in of the ministers and the first Council of Ministers we start work» and added:

“People’s expectations are very high and for me it is a very big bet to live up to these expectations.

I am particularly optimistic, taking into account the will and persistence of my partners, that we will manage to implement our pre-election program, to implement all that we promised to the Cypriot people.

We will see each other often, you know my weakness with journalists due to my previous status, be sure we will see each other often.”

In response to a journalist’s observation that some of his post-election statements regarding the composition of the Council of Ministers were not followed, President Christodoulidis said:Yesterday, 25 appointments were announced, 14 men and 11 women. There are two former ministers, who have been appointed for a specific purpose, there is a reason for the specific appointments, Ministers who are technocrats. Mr. Ioannou has very successfully implemented the GESY and takes on a very difficult Ministry to implement, among others, the major reform concerning Local Self-Government, I also made a relevant reference to the House of Representatives. Mr. Keravnos, a successful Minister of Finance, (was appointed) to send the message of continuity in terms of the economic policies followed. I have said during the election campaign many times that especially in matters of the economy, our policies should not be influenced by electoral cycles and you do not play with the economy. So, there was a specific reason for these two choices.”

“Any criticism is welcome, we are here to be judged every day by you and the Cypriot people and at the end of the day we will be judged by the work produced by the government“, added the President while answering another question, he said that “there are appointments that will be announced in the near future”.

Anastasiadis: Blessed to return to the afterlife

Overjoyed to be returning to his past life he declared for his part the former President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadisleaving this afternoon from the Presidential Palace.

Asked by journalists how he feels today, the former President of the Republic replied: “Overjoyed because I am returning to the afterlife.”

When asked by what criterion, in a period when the issue of passports was being debated, he appointed two of his ministers to the highest ranks of the Legal Service and why he did not assume political responsibilities, Mr. Anastasiadis said that “the people judge and therefore I have nothing to answer . I cannot be responsible for what others have the authority to monitor. For all this, the toxic climate, the exaggeration in the issues related to corruption, with time it will become clear who was right or wrong or who exceeded the favor of expediency to undermine the work that has been done in the decade”.

Asked if he would write a book about his experiences, Mr. Anastasiadis said: “Let me rest and I’ll decide.”

Asked if he has given any advice to the new President on the Cyprus issue, Mr. Anastasiadis said that “I have nothing to advise. I think it’s going in the right direction.”

Finally, Mr. Anastasiadis thanked the media “for both positive and negative reviews. Know that you also determine the course of each President by the respect he shows towards you. Criticism needs to be tolerated and you are the ones who, if you judge in good faith, will contribute significantly to the success of any authority. Be well always, thank you.”