Cyprus election expected to shake up national politics

Voters in Cyprus head to the polls Sunday for what is shaping up to be one of the country's most significant parliamentary elections in decades. Although the parliament holds limited powers within the presidential system of the Republic of Cyprus, the outcome of the election is expected to shake up the country's political landscape. Citing recent opinion polls, journalist and political analyst Sotiris Paroutis says that Cyprus is heading toward "a profound transformation of its political scene,"

Meanwhile, new political forces are gaining support. Polls suggest that the race for first place will once again be decided between Cyprus's two traditional political heavyweights: the conservative Democratic Rally (DISY) and the left-wing Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL). Polls suggest that although Cyprus's two traditional political heavyweights will lead the field with approx. 20% each, traditional centrist parties are in decline Image: Yiannis Kourtoglou/REUTERS For DISY, the election will be a major test of political resilience following the loss of the presidency and the internal tensions that followed the election of independent candidate and former DISY member Nikos Christodoulides as president in 2023 . AKEL, meanwhile, hopes to win the general election for the first time since 2006 by capitalizing on the political momentum it has built in recent years. But even if the two major parties remain dominant, opinion polls indicate that they are unlikely to repeat the high vote shares they obtained in recent decades. Both parties are expected to get approximately 20% of the vote each. Corruption scandals, growing public frustration and declining trust in the political establishment appear to be steadily eroding Cyprus's long-standing bipartisan model. In Cyprus, the president, who is elected directly by the voters, is both head of state and head of government. Pictured here: President Nikos Christodoulides Image: Nicolas Tucat/AFP In Cyprus , the president, who is elected directly by the people, is both head of state and head of government and appoints the cabinet ministers. This means that while the parliamentary election has no direct influence on the makeup of the government, it will have a bearing on the alliances that the parties will have to form in the hope of getting their candidate elected in the next presidential election , which is scheduled for 2028. According to opinion polls, the far-right National Popular Front (ELAM) is expected to emerge as the country's third-largest political force, securing around 10% of the vote.

Key points

• Meanwhile, new political forces are gaining support.
• Polls suggest that the race for first place will once again be decided between Cyprus's two traditional political heavyweights: the conservative Democratic Rally (DISY) and the left-wing Progressiv…
• Polls suggest that although Cyprus's two traditional political heavyweights will lead the field with approx.
• 20% each, traditional centrist parties are in decline Image: Yiannis Kourtoglou/REUTERS For DISY, the election will be a major test of political resilience following the loss of the presidency and…
• AKEL, meanwhile, hopes to win the general election for the first time since 2006 by capitalizing on the political momentum it has built in recent years.