Far-right and newcomers make gains in Cyprus parliamentary election

Cyprus’s parliamentary elections on Sunday produced a fragmented six-party House of Representatives, with the right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) emerging as the largest party, the left-wing AKEL holding second place, and the far-right National People’s Front (ELAM) nearly doubling its strength to finish third.

Voter turnout rose to 66.4%, up from 63.9% in 2021, with 378,150 ballots cast out of 569,182 registered voters. Nineteen party lists and nine independents competed for the 56 seats in the Greek Cypriot-controlled south of the ethnically divided island, with a 3.6% threshold for representation.

According to final results, DISY, led by House President Annita Demetriou, secured about 27.2% of the vote and 17 seats. AKEL followed with roughly 23.9% and 15 seats. Far-right ELAM surged to around 10.9–11% and eight seats, a significant gain from 6.8% and four seats in the previous election.

Centrist parties that had backed President Nikos Christodoulides suffered notable losses. The Democratic Party (DIKO) placed fourth with about 10% and eight seats. The social democratic EDEK fell below the threshold, prompting its leader to initially announce his resignation. The Democratic Alignment (DIPA) also failed to enter parliament.

Two newcomers broke through: the anti-corruption movement ALMA, led by Odysseas Michailides, and Direct Democracy (Amesi Dimokratia), founded by social media influencer and MEP Fidias Panayiotou (known internationally for his 2023 protest outside Elon Musk’s offices). Each is projected to win around four seats.

Party profiles and campaign context

DISY (right-wing, centre-right): A pro-business, conservative party affiliated with the European People’s Party, emphasizing stability, security, and economic management.
AKEL (Communist-rooted, left-wing): Successor to Cyprus’s long-standing communist movement, focusing on social welfare, workers’ rights, and a more conciliatory approach to the Cyprus problem.
ELAM (far-right): An offshoot of Greece’s banned Golden Dawn party, it campaigned on anti-migration policies and a hardline stance against reunification talks with Turkish Cypriots, including calls to close checkpoints across the UN buffer zone.
DIKO and others: Centrist and social democratic parties that positioned themselves as pragmatic forces on the Cyprus issue and national sovereignty.

Corruption scandals and the rising cost of living dominated the campaign, alongside migration concerns. The vote serves as a key test ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

President Christodoulides, a centrist independent elected in 2023 with support from several smaller parties, acknowledged the results and pledged cooperation with the new parliament. Analysts note he may face challenges securing alliances for re-election, as his previous backers weakened.

The new House composition could complicate governance on the divided island, where the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus controls the south, while Turkish Cypriots administer the north following the 1974 division. No single party holds a majority, setting the stage for negotiations on key issues like the economy, migration, and the long-stalled reunification process.

DISY’s Demetriou highlighted “security and stability,” while ELAM’s Christos Christou hailed a “tremendous victory.” AKEL’s Stefanos Stefanou spoke of renewed public trust.

The original article by EUalive’s partner Politis can be found here.

Caption: Election workers count votes at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus, 24 May 2026. Cypriots went to the polls to elect new members of the House of Representatives, for a five-year term. EPA/GEORGE CHRISTOFOROU