Newsroom
With eight months to go until parliamentary elections, a new poll suggests Cyprus is heading for one of its most unpredictable contests in years.
According to an article in Kathimerini by Michalis Sofokleous, the country’s two main parties (centre-right DISY and left-wing AKEL) are battling for the top spot, but both are polling well below their traditional levels. According to the survey, AKEL currently holds a narrow lead with 21% support, just ahead of DISY on 20%.
The far-right ELAM has surged to 14%, and newcomer ALMA has made a surprisingly strong debut with 11%. The centrist DIKO trails on 8%, while smaller parties such as the Greens, Volt, and EDEK risk being left out of parliament altogether.
The political mood reflects public frustration with the economy, rising living costs, and corruption. This discontent has allowed newer parties to gain ground, particularly among younger voters and those who abstained in previous elections.
President Nikos Christodoulides remains unpopular overall, though he retains support among DIKO voters. DISY leader Annita Demetriou and AKEL’s Stefanos Stefanou both struggle with negative ratings, while ELAM leader Christos Christou enjoys strong backing within his own party.
Turnout is expected to be the decisive factor. High abstention tends to benefit the established parties, while strong participation could help ELAM and ALMA.
