Newsroom
- Christodoulides admits he’s been in campaign mode since day one, drawing criticism he’s more focused on 2028 than governing.
- He courts rivals while sidelining allies, cozying up to DISY and keeping channels open with ELAM, while his current coalition grows restless.
- With parliamentary elections in May and names already floated for 2028, Cyprus’ next presidential race is shaping up years ahead of schedule.
President Nikos Christodoulides admits he’s been in “campaign mode” since the very first day of his presidency, a revelation that has fueled smirks in political circles and fresh criticism that he is more focused on re-election than governing, according to Kathimerini's Marina Economidou.
In a recent interview, Christodoulides leaned heavily on the same “clean hands” narrative that won him the presidency in 2023, while signaling his strategy for 2028. He positioned his government as center-right with a social liberal touch, opening the door to cooperation with most parties, except AKEL, with whom he says he has deep disagreements.
Behind the scenes, political maneuvering is already underway. The president has never hidden his desire to govern with DISY, even seeking the party’s ministers in his cabinet. Although the party has resisted, some members are still quietly exploring possible cooperation. At the same time, Christodoulides is keeping close ties with the Synergatiko network that backed him in 2023 and appears confident that far-right ELAM will eventually support him in a second-round showdown.
But this double game is testing his current coalition, which feels sidelined. Partners complain of being ignored, while watching the president consult informally with their rivals. His indecisiveness on key issues, from the energy cable dispute to a long-delayed cabinet reshuffle, has only deepened frustration.
The political landscape is shifting fast. DISY and DIKO are already considering alliances with an eye on the 2028 race, with names like Annita Dimitriou, Averof Neophytou, Faidon Faidonos, and even Giorgos Pamboridis being floated. On the left, AKEL faces pressure over whether to back Odysseas Michaelides or put forward its own candidate, while internal rifts, and figures like Irini Charalambidou, complicate matters further.
With parliamentary elections in May set to reshape alliances, one thing is clear: Cyprus may still be three years away from its next presidential race, but the campaigning never really stopped.
