EditOpinion poll: Cyprus president faces mounting distrust as nepotism perceptions surge
While views on the economy have improved slightly since February, the administration faces a deepening crisis of confidence
President Nikos Christodoulides continues to struggle with public discontent, according to a new RetailZoom poll conducted for EUalive’s partner Politis. While views on the economy have improved slightly since February, the administration faces a deepening crisis of confidence – particularly over perceptions of nepotism and weak leadership.
The online survey, which polled 3,000 Cypriots between 3 and 8 October, paints a sobering picture of national sentiment. Fifty-eight percent of respondents now believe that Christodoulides governs in order to appoint friends and relatives – a sharp rise from 34% in February. Only 17% express an overall positive view of his administration, while 61% disapprove.
Economic sentiment improves slightly
Public perceptions of the economy show modest progress. The share of Cypriots who say their personal finances have improved rose from 19% to 24% since February, while 34% report worsening conditions. Those aged 25-34 were the most optimistic, with one-third noting improvements, whereas the 35-44 age group reported the sharpest decline.
Satisfaction with the government’s economic management also inched up, from 17% to 20%. However, more than half of the population – 51%, remains dissatisfied, suggesting that minor gains in confidence are insufficient to offset broader frustration with living costs, wages, and public services.
The most damaging trend for the president remains his perceived “lack of meritocracy”. The view that Christodoulides places allies and relatives in key positions has grown into the defining criticism of his leadership.
Women and residents of Nicosia are particularly disillusioned, with disapproval rates of 63% and 65%, respectively. Among respondents aged 55-64, dissatisfaction climbs to 67%. Analysts say these numbers reflect both frustration with political patronage and the absence of visible reform.
The Cyprus problem: lingering uncertainty
On foreign and reunification policy, public confidence remains fragile. The approval of Christodoulides’s handling of the “Cyprus problem” rose modestly from 18% to 22%, but a clear majority – 55%, remains critical. Young people (18-24) are the most sceptical, with 64% expressing dissatisfaction.
Observers note that Christodoulides’ attempts to balance positions between the island’s divided communities may be alienating both sides. Should northern Cyprus see political change, particularly with Tufan Erhürman’s potential election, the president may soon face pressure to clarify his stance, exposing deeper political fault lines. As the Turkish Cypriot leadership election on 19 October approaches, the contest between incumbent leader Ersin Tatar and opposition leader Tufan Erhürman highlights starkly divergent visions for resolving the Cyprus problem and shaping relations with Greek Cypriots.
Turkish Cypriot leadership race: Erhürman challenges Tatar’s two-state vision
Cypriots are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the government’s handling of everyday essentials. On electricity, 75% said they were not at all or only slightly satisfied, while just 10% described themselves as very or extremely satisfied.
Water management – a chronic issue in drought-prone Cyprus – fared little better: 48% expressed no satisfaction, and another 17% only slight satisfaction. Just 14% gave positive ratings, though younger respondents were somewhat more receptive to desalination projects and sustainability initiatives.
A nation losing trust
Perhaps the starkest finding is the collapse of faith in national institutions. Forty percent of respondents said they trust “none” of the country’s public bodies. Among the few to retain credibility, the Audit Office (28%) and the National Guard – the country’s army – (16%) were the most trusted. Nearly all other institutions scored below 20%, underscoring a crisis of legitimacy that extends beyond the presidency.
The findings suggest that Cyprus’s political discontent extends beyond short-term economic concerns, reflecting deeper frustrations with governance and public accountability.
Despite small economic gains, Christodoulides’ government faces a widening gap between public expectations and trust. Unless the administration can demonstrate transparency and a commitment to merit-based governance, the president’s modest approval bump risks being only temporary.
The full article can be found here.
Caption: Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides attends a joint press conference with his Latvian counterpart after their meeting in Riga, Latvia, 19 June 2025. EPA/TOMS KALNINS
Updated: October 13, 2025 - 06:40
