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DIKO leader Nikolas Papadopoulos sounded the alarm on Monday, warning that Cyprus could face serious political turbulence if what he called “extreme and irresponsible” parties gain strength in the next Parliament.
Speaking on Sigma TV’s Frontpage, Papadopoulos said the country “may not be here in five years” if nationalist and fringe forces shape national decisions, arguing that Cyprus is too small and too vulnerable for political experiments.
He linked the risk to past crises, saying such parties could “very easily lead our country back to adventures like those of 2013 and even worse, 1974.”
Papadopoulos used the appearance to push for deeper cooperation among centrist parties, saying the political middle must stay strong. The comments followed MP Michalis Giakoumis’ departure from DIKO, a move Papadopoulos said his party had nothing to do with, but one that underscored the importance of unity in the Center.
He didn’t rule out the possibility of Giakoumis joining DIKO for the 2026 elections. “The invitation is open to everyone,” he said, noting that DIKO is willing to work with any party or political figure that shares its goals.
Critics have suggested DIKO’s outreach signals weakness ahead of the vote, but Papadopoulos rejected the claim. What he is worried about, he said, is a Parliament dominated by populist or extreme forces, not DIKO’s electoral strength.
He also pushed back hard on rumors that the government is drifting toward far-right ELAM. “There is no executive and no supporter of ELAM in this Council of Ministers,” he said, adding that ELAM attacks President Nikos Christodoulides “every day,” from immigration and the Cyprus issue to economic policy.
The DIKO leader said he sees no scenario where Christodoulides and ELAM could work together, especially when ELAM often votes against the government and aligns with opposition parties instead.
For Papadopoulos, the stakes are clear: Cyprus’ stability, he argues, depends on a united political center and on keeping the extremes from calling the shots.
