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Charalambos Prountzos has been elected as the new Mayor of Nicosia by a significant margin.
In his victory statement, Prountzos said, "Nicosia won today." He emphasized his commitment to serving all residents of the city and expressed pride in the election results. Prountzos thanked the parties that supported him and acknowledged the efforts of his opponents.
Nicos Tornaritis, his main rival, delivered a gracious concession speech, congratulating Prountzos on his victory. Speaking from the Democratic Rally building, Tornaritis thanked his supporters and reflected on the campaign.
"I contacted Mr. Prountzos and offered him my warmest congratulations on his success," Tornaritis said. "As an MP for Nicosia and President of the Democratic Rally parliamentary group, I will always stand by him for the benefit of our city."
Tornaritis expressed deep gratitude to the parties that backed his candidacy and to the citizens who supported his vision for Nicosia. "I thank from the bottom of my heart the parties that supported my candidacy, the citizens who believed in our plan for Nicosia, and everyone who came to the polls, whether they voted for me or not, because this is how democracy is exercised," he said.
He also acknowledged the valuable experiences he gained during the campaign. "On this journey, I met real friends and heard problems I hadn't felt or heard before. I will pay attention to these people," Tornaritis stated.
Tornaritis took the opportunity to thank his family and close supporters, noting the personal connections and lessons learned throughout the campaign. "I have to tell you that on this march I met real friends and heard problems that I didn't feel and didn't hear all these years, and I will pay attention to these people," he said.
In closing, Tornaritis reiterated his commitment to Nicosia. "Above all, our Nicosia and nothing else," he said, emphasizing his dedication to the city and its residents.
Who Is Charalambos Prountzos?
Born in Nicosia in 1978, Charalambos Prountzos has roots in the occupied villages of Gerolakko and Akantho. He graduated with an LLB (Hons) from the University of Bristol in 2001 and earned a Barrister-at-Law degree from the Inns of Court School of Law, London. Prountzos also holds a Diploma in Professional Legal Skills from City University of London and is a Fellow of Gray's Inn.
A member of the Cyprus Bar Association, Prountzos has served on the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Investment Funds Association and the Cyprus Bar Association’s Committee on Corporate and Tax Matters. He founded and has managed the law firm Prountzos & Prountzos D.E.P.E. since 2010. From 2019 to 2023, he led legal services for a major advisory network, overseeing teams in 32 countries.
Prountzos has extensive experience in regulated markets, handling competition, mergers, restructuring, and personal data cases. He has advised on energy projects, particularly in renewable energy and gas, and is a pioneer in waste and wastewater treatment projects in Cyprus. His judicial experience includes significant constitutional, labor, and public procurement cases.
From 2011 to 2018, Prountzos served on the Steering Committee of the Open University of Cyprus and was elected its first President upon the institution's autonomy. He also served on the Board of Directors of the CYENS Research and Innovation Centre, a partnership involving Cyprus’s public universities, the Max Planck Institute, University College London (UCL), and the Municipality of Nicosia.
Prountzos participated in the Working Group on Governance and Power-sharing during the 2015-2017 negotiation process.
