YIANNIS Karousos, a 34-year-old municipal councillor of seven years and member of various local committees, was officially proclaimed Ayia Napa mayor yesterday.
In a service at Ayia Napa municipality, the new mayor thanked the residents for voting for him and said he hoped that they may all be united for the good of the town. Karousos said his objectives included reducing unemployment, encouraging young scientists and negotiating the town’s development plan.
“It is certain that no one would want such an election under the circumstances that have lead to the vacant position of mayor,” he said, referring to the sudden death of the former mayor Antonis Tsokkos who died of a sudden heart attack on January 21, aged just 59.
“We will proceed with determination to achieve our goals. As of tomorrow we will get to work on making our city proud and fulfilling the programme we have put forward,” Karousos said.
He then proceeded to Ayia Napa cemetery for a memorial service for Tsokkos. Karousos also laid a wreath on the grave.
In Sunday’s election for mayor, DISY-backed Karousos got 50.3 per cent of the votes. Karousos beat Fotos Fotiou of AKEL who received 862 votes (38.35 per cent) and Andreas Ttofi Andreou of DIKO who received 255 votes (16.34 per cent).
Ayia Napa had 2,750 registered voters, 2,283 of whom (83.1 per cent) voted. Some 22 votes were invalid and 13 were blank.
The previous mayor died suddenly after complaining of breathing difficulties, before paramedics arrived at his home. During his time as mayor, he gained a reputation as being an articulate and accessible leader, who prided himself on having an ‘open office door’.
“There are no winners or losers. We will proceed together and I will be the mayor of all Ayia Napa’s people, without consideration of which political party they support or whether they voted for me or not. That is the job of the mayor, which I plan to carry out with a new vision,” Karousos said.
DISY congratulated Karousos on his election and wished him luck in his new role. In a statement, DISY said that it believed the new mayor will complete his mission with success, during these economically difficult times.