In Cyprus, the elections, with citizens being asked to nominate the 56 members of the House of Representatives.
Although the country’s political system is presidential and the government does not change through this process, the result is considered crucial for the course of the political scene in the coming years.
The new composition of the Parliament is expected to determine the environment in which the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, will operate until the 2028 presidential elections. At the same time, it will be seen whether the traditional parties continue to maintain a strong influence or whether society is turning to new political choices.
Record turnout and intense interest
This year’s elections are recording standout numbers. A total of 568,587 voters are eligible to participate, while there are 753 candidates, a record number for a Cypriot parliamentary contest. 19 party combinations and 9 independent candidates are participating in the process.
Seats are allocated in the six constituencies, with Nicosia electing 19 MPs, Limassol 12, Famagusta 11, Larnaca 6, Paphos 5 and Kyrenia 3. Paphos gains one extra seat compared to 2021, while Nicosia loses one due to changes in the number of voters.
The battle between DISY and AKEL
The focus is on the showdown between DISY and AKEL for first place.
DISY, under the leadership of Anita Demetriou, seeks to remain dominant in the centre-right. On the other hand, AKEL, led by Stefanos Stefanou, wants to return to the lead after years of attrition.
In the previous parliamentary elections in 2021, DISY had garnered 27.77% and 17 seats, while AKEL had 22.34% and 15 seats. The key question now is whether the two major parties will maintain their strengths or whether they will register a new decline.
The political test for Christodoulides
The election is also a major test for Nikos Christodoulides, who was elected in 2023 as an independent with the support of parties in the middle ground.
If the political forces supporting the government show losses, the presidential administration may face a more difficult parliamentary reality. On the contrary, a positive result would give the Cypriot president political time and greater room for manoeuvre.
At the same time, citizens are going to the polls with strong discontent over issues such as accuracy, electricity prices, and the damage left by the so-called “golden passports” scandal.
The new formations and the dynamics of ELAM
The new political movements that claim to enter Parliament are also of great interest.
The ALMA party of Odysseus Michaelides is attempting to express the antisystemic vote by raising issues of transparency and institutional changes. At the same time, VOLT Cyprus mainly appeals to pro-European voters.
The attempt of Fidias Panagiotou’s “Immediate Democracy Cyprus” to transfer to the Parliament the momentum it had registered in the 2024 European elections has also caused particular debate. However, during the election period there were criticisms for lack of concrete proposals on key policy issues.
At the same time, ELAM appears stronger in the polls and even claims third place. Its rise is mainly attributed to the pressure caused by the migration issue, but also to dissatisfaction with the traditional parties.
The Cyprus problem and the next day
The elections take place at a time when the Cyprus issue is again in a phase of mobility, following the election of Toufan Erhiurman to the Turkish Cypriot leadership. At the same time, developments in the Middle East, energy uncertainty and relations with Turkey are directly affecting the political climate in the region.
