Ioannis Clerides

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Ioannis Clerides was a Cypriot lawyer and political figure.

He was the father of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides. In 1946, he was elected mayor of Nicosia.

During the EOKA struggle (1955 - 1959), Clerides chaired a Human Rights Commission that gathered information on torture and other abuses of the colonial government against Cypriot fighters, however, Clerides' main claim to fame is his candidacy to become the first President of Cyprus. He led the "Democratic Union" party, which was supported by AKEL but opposed by his own son. In the presidential elections of December 13, 1959, he polled a disappointing 33.15% to Archbishop Makarios III 66.85%.