Newsroom
The political landscape in Cyprus appeared to shift dramatically Sunday night as early parliamentary election results pointed to gains for new political movements, setbacks for smaller traditional parties and a reshaped House of Representatives.
As vote counting continued late into the evening, party headquarters across Nicosia filled with celebration, disappointment and tense reactions as the first projections emerged.
With around 50% of ballots counted, DISY was leading with 17 seats, followed by AKEL with 15. DIKO and ELAM were projected to secure eight seats each, while newcomers ALMA and Direct Democracy were heading toward four seats each.
DISY leader Annita Demetriou described the result as a choice for “security” and stability, thanking voters for trusting the party as the country’s leading political force.
“From tomorrow we continue with hard work,” she said, adding that the focus remains on addressing people’s everyday concerns.
At AKEL headquarters, General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou struck an optimistic tone, saying the result marked “a new upward course” for the party and a rebuilding of public trust.
One of the biggest talking points of the night was the strong showing by new political movements entering parliament for the first time.
Former Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides celebrated ALMA’s projected entry into parliament, saying citizens ignored pressure and “honored ALMA with their vote.”
“Tomorrow words end and actions begin,” he said, promising the movement would fight private interests and act as “the voice of citizens and justice.”
Meanwhile, influencer-turned-politician Fidias Panayiotou celebrated as his Direct Democracy movement secured its place in parliament.
“Now Direct Democracy has been born,” he said, adding that the party now has to prove its value to the public.
But the night was not positive for everyone.
The Greens appeared set to remain outside parliament, with party leader Stavros Papadouris openly admitting disappointment over the result.
At EDEK headquarters, the atmosphere was visibly gloomy after projections showed the party struggling to secure parliamentary representation. Party leader Nikos Anastasiou later acknowledged responsibility for the disappointing performance, saying the result “does not satisfy us” and admitting that efforts to unite the party had fallen short.
DIKO leader Nikos Papadopoulos called his party’s result an “achievement” despite what he described as a toxic pre-election climate and predictions that DIKO’s support would collapse.
Outside party headquarters, supporters gathered waving flags, chanting slogans and anxiously refreshing phones as Cyprus watched one of the most closely followed parliamentary races in recent years unfold seat by seat.
The final names of the island’s 56 new MPs are expected to be officially announced early Monday morning, with the official proclamation ceremony scheduled for Monday afternoon at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre.
