Philenews

Strained Relationship Between Irene Charalambidou and AKEL: Stefanos' Intervention Outrages Charalambidou – "He Asks One Thing, Answers Another"

Published February 17, 2026, 09:18
Strained Relationship Between Irene Charalambidou and AKEL: Stefanos' Intervention Outrages Charalambidou – "He Asks One Thing, Answers Another"

The relationship between Irene Charalambidou and AKEL is at a critical point after the official announcement of their split. The dispute began over a document from AKEL regarding Giorgos Pamporidis, which Ms. Charalambidou accuses of aiming to politically undermine her. AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou denies the existence of the document, causing a strong reaction from Ms. Charalambidou. According to Ms. Charalambidou, the document had been sent to grassroots party groups with instructions to read it verbatim and contained criticism of her behavior. She claims to have repeatedly asked Mr. Stefanou to withdraw or correct the document, but this did not happen. Ms. Charalambidou accuses AKEL of a “stab in the back” after 11 years of cooperation. Mr. Stefanou, for his part, stated that he had carefully read Ms. Charalambidou's interview and that AKEL had dealt with the issue of the presidential elections and not with her personal behavior. He argued that AKEL had not taken any steps to support Ms. Charalambidou as a candidate. The dispute between Ms. Charalambidou and AKEL continues and has taken on public dimensions, with mutual accusations and challenges. The situation appears to have reached a point of no return, with relations between the two sides having broken down.