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The big debate between the five main presidential candidates is now being aired by all major television.

The two-hour debate,  hosted by state broadcaster CyBC, began at 9.05pm. Five journalists of CyBC, Antenna, TV-One, Sigma and Alpha will grill the candidates backed by parliamentary parties: Disy-backed President Nicos Anastasiades; Diko leader Nicolas Papadopoulos who is also supported by Edek, the Greens and the Solidarity Movement; Akel-backed independent Stavros Malas; head of the Citizens’ Alliance Giorgos Lillikas; and Elam leader Christos Christou.

The first part of the debate will focus on the Cyprus problem, foreign policy and energy issues and the second part on internal governance.

In total, the candidates will answer two questions in each round. Each answer can take up to two minutes, while candidates will have an additional minute to respond to any follow up questions.

At the end of each round, each candidate will be given two minutes to comment on his opponents’ answers.

This is the only debate set to take place before Sunday’s election.

The other four presidential hopefuls are independent candidates Andreas Efstratiou, Haris Aristidou, Christakis Kapiliotis and Michalis Mina.

If no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of the vote, a run-off election will take place on February 4.

Source: CyprusMail