THE TOP clerics in the land yesterday denied any wheeling and dealing ahead of tomorrow’s second round of elections for a new Archbishop, despite signs of alliances between the bishoprics.
Sunday’s elections will see the nomination of 100 Electors – both from the laity and priesthood – who will next vote separately with a body of ex officio clerics for a new Primate.
A candidate needs a majority in both ballots, otherwise the process is repeated.
Analysis of the first round results suggests that Limassol bishop Athanassios – who won the popular vote – will get 45 Electors, with Kykkos bishop Nikiforos coming in second with 42.
bishop Chrysostomos of Paphos should garner 10, with his namesake the bishop of Kiti (Larnaca) receiving just three.
In a bad-tempered campaign, supporters of Nikiforos claimed vote-rigging took place when a number of ballots arrived for counting late, empty or appeared to have been tampered with.
Athanassios – seen as a fundamentalist by detractors and a pious man by supporters – will not be contesting any Electors in Paphos, Chrysostomos’ turf.
Ostensibly, Athanassios’ staffers believe they cannot get a single Elector in Paphos. But there is speculation that they are in cahoots with Chrysostomos, to ensure the latter achieves all his 10 Electors in the district.
That would “keep the peace” between the dioceses of Limassol and Paphos, who might then gang up against Nikiforos in the next stage.
On the other hand, the bishops of Kiti and Nikiforos have agreed on commonly acceptable candidates for Electors in Larnaca.
The bishop of Kiti has secured three Electors across the island, and it is presumed these three would next join the Nikiforos camp.
Assuming that happens, the race would be locked at 45 Electors each for Nikiforos and his nemesis Athanassios, with the bishop of Paphos in a position to swing the final outcome.
This week Chrysostomos shook things up a little, when he seemed to hint he would be backing one or the other frontrunner.
Chrysostomos has also said that, if elected, he will serve as Archbishop for no more than five years.
The Archbishop is normally appointed for life.
Typically, Athanassios told newsmen he sought no coalitions and that his supporters would vote in the next round according to will.
“God shall enlighten them,” he said.
But Archimandrite Isaias Kykkotis, Nikiforos’ chief campaign staffer, yesterday adopted a more down-to-earth approach, saying he was confident his side would prevail.
If Athanasios won the popular vote I think it will be the most democratic if he will be the Archbishop.
