Demetris was an exceptional man with a capital M. He stood out because of his ethos, his political behaviour and the fact that he was honest, sincere and consistent. He stood out because he meant what he said and implemented it in practice. Many people called him simply by his first name, Demetris. This was because people felt he was just one of them; he grew up facing a great many difficulties, in poverty, and felt people’s pain.

As a political figure, Demetris Christofias has delivered lessons in ethos. Regardless of how his political opponents behaved towards him, he had the ability to rise above it all. He assumed the leadership of AKEL at a very difficult time for the Party, at a time when many felt that a great torrent would sweep AKEL away and dissolve it. Back then with his comrades in the Party leadership, the oldest and most experienced, but also the younger comrades, managed not only to keep the Party upright, but to raise it high up, transforming it to become the first political force in the country.

He accomplished two things that seemed impossible for AKEL and the Popular Movement in general. He was elected President of the House of Representatives and subsequently President of the Republic. With the assumption of his leadership, he proceeded to make many changes. He made sure that the changes made to the Party Statutes would further democratize the Party, modernize and renew it, and at the same time for the Party to be able to produce political proposals and elaborate policies. As President, and together with the then Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, they paved the way towards achieving a great number of convergences upon which President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci relied on to get very close towards reaching a solution of the Cyprus problem.

The biggest accomplishment both leaders managed to achieve was the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point in April 2008, and the setting up of 16 bicommunal technical working committees. As regards the natural gas sector, a great horizon was opened up for Cyprus, which, if properly exploited, would considerably improve the living conditions of all Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins. He supported the people who are in need of the support of the state and with the social policy pursued he made the common people aspire to a better life. The Medical School, which for the first time will have student university graduates, is also an achievement of the Christofias government.

Objective historical scholars will rank him where he truly deserves in history. Demetris Christofias was born on August 29, 1946 in Dikomo in the Kyrenia district. The son of a builder, he received his secondary-school education at Nicosia Commercial Lyceum, from which he graduated in 1964.

At the age of 14, he joined the progressive secondary-school student’s organisation, PEOM. At 18, he moved up to AKEL’s youth wing EDON, before heading off to the Soviet Union to study at the Institute of Social Sciences where he earned a history degree. He spoke fluent Russian. In Moscow, he met his wife Elsie; they married in 1972 back in Cyprus and had three children, Marianna, Christina and Christos. Back home, he moved up the ranks at EDON where he became its leader in 1977 until 1987. He was also a member of AKEL’s central committee. When AKEL’s long-time leader Ezekias Papaioannou died in 1988, Christofias was elected general-secretary of the party. He was first elected to the House in 1991, and was re-elected twice more. After the 2001 parliamentary poll, he was also elected House Speaker, and was so again in 2006, holding the post until elected president two years later. After his victory, thousands poured into the streets waving red party banners and Cypriot flags. Christofias won 53.36 per cent of the vote.

“I extend a hand of friendship to my compatriots the Turkish Cypriots and their political leadership, I call on them to work together for our common cause, a country of peace,” Christofias, then 62, told a stadium full of supporters. “Tomorrow, a new day begins. We will see many difficulties ahead of us. As of tomorrow, we unite our forces…to achieve the reunification of our country.” Christofias was sworn in as President at a ceremony in the House of Representatives on 28 February 2008, vowing that “the solution of the Cyprus problem will be the top priority of my government.” He started talks with Mehmet Ali Talat on the reunification of Cyprus as a bizonal federal state, but his hopes for Greek Cypriot approval of such a plan were soon scotched by the nationalists’ victory in the occupied north’s 2009 ‘parliamentary elections.’

Christofias had much more to deal with entering the second half of his presidency – an unfolding banking crisis that required an international rescue to save the country from financial ruin, as well as a munitions blast at a naval base that killed 13 people. In May 2012, Christofias announced he would not seek re-election, saying that his decision fulfilled an earlier promise not to run for a second term if peace talks were not close to an accord.

He left office on 28 February 2013.
Throughout his political career, Christofias held close ties with the Cypriot community in the UK, visiting frequently as General Secretary of AKEL and maintained as President. Parikiaki was honoured to have Demetris officially open our new premises in September 2005 and attend various functions organised by our newspaper and AKEL in Britain, not forgetting his presence at the Cypriot Wine Festival both as Leader of the House of Representatives and as President of the Republic of Cyprus. He enjoyed good relations with Turkish Cypriots, describing the minority “not as our enemies, but our brothers.” He would always take time during his trips to London to meet with the Turkish Cypriot community, addressing their concerns regarding the Cyprus problem and other issues. Rest In Peace Comrade. You will be greatly missed.