Talking to state radio, Christodoulides again emphasized the dialogue he had with citizens from the right, left and center and that his communication with ordinary people will continue.

The ruling Disy-affiliated appointed government spokesman first and then foreign minister of President Nicos Anastasiades’ administration, Christodoulides is now challenging party leader Averof Neophytou.

The President has given his blessing to Neophytou for the top job on Thursday refused to comment on Christodoulides’ announcement in a wide-ranging address to the public from social media.

Christodoulides’ much-anticipated official bid ends months of speculation during which time his rightwing party backed Neophytou and main opposition Akel’s top echelons have supported Andreas Mavroyiannis.

Also running as an independent is human rights legal expert Achilleas Demetriades.

Christodoulides has sent out the message that his vision for his potential presidency includes concerns shared with him by women about the lack of equal opportunities, young couples who feel that they unable to afford to raise a family and of bureaucracy limiting development.

He admitted that mistakes were made by the Anastasiades government and that his mission was to improve the prevailing state of play.

He also said he was proud to have served in the Anastasiades government.

Source: In-Cyprus