Neofytou abandons presidential bid; auditors expose school air-con chaos
Get European news in your inbox daily
A short daily digest of the whole continent — or just the countries you care about.
Check your email. We've sent a confirmation link — click it to complete your subscription.
Averof Neofytou has abandoned his bid for the 2028 presidency, saying he does not wish to repeat his difficult electoral experience of 2023. The reversal relieves pressure on the opposition Democratic Rally party. Former president Nikos Anastasiadis had warned that an independent run by Mr Neofytou would cause a rift. Party members will now vote to select the candidate themselves.
President Nikos Christodoulides insisted that efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem are not at a standstill, though he acknowledged difficulties in restarting negotiations. The assurance follows recent talks in New York, which editorialists noted produced more confusion than clarity.
The state audit service published a report exposing widespread failures in a drive to install air conditioning in public schools. Investigators documented safety risks, bypassed laws, uncompetitive contracts and uncontrolled costs.