Politics of Cyprus
Ministries
[edit]The Ministers form the Council of Ministers, including other members who may not be listed, which is an independent collective body with independent powers. In bold is listed a Ministry that was not an original ministry, but created after London and Zürich Agreements.[1]
- Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Minister: Petros Xenophontos
- Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Minister: Giorgos Papanastasiou
- Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Minister: Alexis Vafiades
- Ministry of Defence, Minister: Vasilis Palmas
- Ministry of Education and Culture, Minister: Dr Athena Michaelidou
- Ministry of Finance, Minister: Makis Keravnos
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister: Constantinos Kombos
- Ministry of Health, Minister: Popi Kanari
- Ministry of Interior, Minister: Constantinos Ioannou
- Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Minister: Anna Prokopiou
- Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, Minister: Yiannis Panayiotou[1][2]
Deputy Ministries
[edit]- Deputy Ministry of Shipping, Deputy Minister: Marina Hadjimanoli
- Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Deputy Minister: Costas Koumis
- Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Deputy Minister: Nicodemos Damianou
- Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, Deputy Minister: Marilena Evangelou
- Deputy Ministry of Culture, Deputy Minister: Vasiliki Kassianidou[2]
Legislative branch
[edit]The House of Representatives (Greek: Βουλή των Αντιπροσώπων, romanized: Voulḗ tōn Antiprosṓpōn; Turkish: Temsilciler Meclisi) has 59 members elected for a five-year term: 56 Greek Cypriot members chosen by proportional representation and 3 observer members representing the Maronite, Latin Catholic and Armenian minorities. 24 seats are allocated to the Turkish community, but are currently vacant.[3]
Political parties
[edit]Democratic Rally (DISY)
[edit]The centre-right Democratic Rally (DISY) is the largest political party in Cyprus, currently holding 17 of the 56 seats in the House of Representatives.[4] Founded on July 4, 1976, by veteran politician Glafcos Clerides, DISY emerged from the split of the right-wing "Eniaion" into two opposing parties: DISY and DIKO.[5][6]
DISY is a Christian democratic[7][8] and liberal-conservative[9] party, often described as the most Atlanticist, pro-NATO and pro-EU party in Cyprus.[10][11] The party is currently led by Annita Demetriou,[12] who also serves as the President of the Cypriot House of Representatives, making her the first woman to hold this office.[13] Two former leaders of the party have served as Presidents of Cyprus, Glafcos Clerides (1993–2003) and Nicos Anastasiades (2013–2023).[14]
Over the years, internal disagreements, particularly regarding the Cyprus issue, have led to the formation of three splinter parties: the European Party (EvroKo), European Democracy (EvroDi)[15][16][17] and Solidarity Movement.[18][19] The current President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, was previously a member of DISY and served as Government Spokesman (2014–2018) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2018–2022) under Anastasiades. Christodoulides sought DISY's nomination for the 2023 presidential election, but following accusations of undermining his campaign, he resigned from his ministerial role and launched an independent candidacy.[20][21][22]
Notable Figures
[edit]-
Glafkos Clerides, founder and former leader of DISY (1976-1993) and former President of Cyprus (1993-2003).
-
MP Averof Neofytou, former President of DISY (2013-2023) and DISY's candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
-
MP Annita Demetriou, President of DISY (2023-present) and President of the House of Representatives (2021-present).
-
Ioannis Kasoulidis, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, MEP and DISY's candidate for the 2008 presidential election.
-
Stella Kyriakides, former DISY MP, former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2017-2018) and European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety (2019-present).
-
Lefteris Christoforou, former DISY MP (1996-2014) and MEP (2014-2022), Member of the European Court of Auditors (2022-present).
-
Phedonas Phedonos, Member of DISY, Mayor of Paphos since 2015.
-
MP Harris Georgiades, former Minister of Finance (2013-2019) and Deputy Leader of DISY.
Notable Former Party Members
[edit]-
President Nikos Christodoulides, former Spokesman of Anastasiades' Government (2014-2018) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2018-2022), and Independent President of Cyprus (2023 - present)
-
Yiannakis Matsis, former President of DISY (1993-1997) founder of For Europe alliance (2004) and former MEP for the splinter party EvroDi (2004-2009).
-
Eleni Theocharous, former DISY MP and MEP, founder and president of the DISY splinter party Solidarity Movement.
-
Demetris Syllouris, expelled DISY MP (2001-2004), president of the DISY splinter party EVROKO (2005-2016) and former President of the House of Representatives (2016-2020).
Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL)
[edit]The left-wing Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) is the second largest political party in Cyprus, currently holding 15 of the 56 seats in the House of Representatives.[4] It was founded in 1926 with the name "Communist Party of Cyprus" fighting against fascism, imperialism and chauvinism, but also aiming at the independence of Cyprus from British rule.[23]
AKEL is a Marxist–Leninist, eurosceptic and communist party[24][25][26], classified as left-wing[27][28] to far-left[29]. It is currently led by MP Stefanos Stefanou. One party leader, Demetris Christofias, served as the President of Cyprus (2008-2013) for one term, without seeking re-election. Other presidents that were supported by AKEL were Archbishop Makarios III, Spyros Kyprianou, George Vassiliou and Tassos Papadopoulos.
Notable Figures
[edit]-
Demetris Christofias, former General Secretary of AKEL (1988-2009), President of the House of Representatives (2001-2008) and President of Cyprus (2008-2013).
-
MP Andros Kyprianou, former General Secretary of AKEL (2009-2021).
-
MP Stefanos Stefanou, General Secretary of AKEL since 2021.
-
MP Irene Charalambidou, vice-president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
-
Stavros Malas, former Minister of Health (2011-2013) and AKEL-backed independent candidate in the 2013 and 2018 presidential elections.
-
Eleni Mavrou, former AKEL MP (2001–2006), Minister of Interior (2012-2013) and Mayor of Nicosia (2007–2011).
Notable Former Party Members
[edit]-
Giorgos Lillikas, former AKEL MP (1996–2003), founder of the splinter party Citizens' Alliance, and independent candidate at the 2013 Cypriot presidential election.
Latest elections
[edit]President
[edit]Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Nikos Christodoulides | Independent[a] | 127,309 | 32.04 | 204,867 | 51.97 | |
Andreas Mavroyiannis | Independent[b] | 117,551 | 29.59 | 189,335 | 48.03 | |
Averof Neofytou | Democratic Rally | 103,748 | 26.11 | |||
Christos Christou | National Popular Front | 23,988 | 6.04 | |||
Achilleas Demetriades | Independent[c] | 8,137 | 2.05 | |||
Constantinos Christofides | New Wave – The Other Cyprus | 6,326 | 1.59 | |||
Georgios Colocassides | Independent | 5,287 | 1.33 | |||
Alexios Savvides | Independent | 2,395 | 0.60 | |||
Charalampos Aristotelous | Independent | 866 | 0.22 | |||
Celestina de Petro | Independent | 575 | 0.14 | |||
Andronicos Zervides | Independent | 341 | 0.09 | |||
Ioulia Khovrina Komninou | United Cyprus Republican Party | 330 | 0.08 | |||
Andreas Efstratiou | Independent | 299 | 0.08 | |||
Loukas Stavrou | National Communitarian Reconstruction | 165 | 0.04 | |||
Total | 397,317 | 100.00 | 394,202 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 397,317 | 98.27 | 394,202 | 96.95 | ||
Invalid votes | 5,333 | 1.32 | 8,428 | 2.07 | ||
Blank votes | 1,671 | 0.41 | 3,986 | 0.98 | ||
Total votes | 404,321 | 100.00 | 406,616 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 561,273 | 72.04 | 561,273 | 72.45 | ||
Source: Central Electoral Service, Central Electoral Service |
Parliament
[edit]Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic Rally | 99,328 | 27.77 | 17 | –1 | |
Progressive Party of Working People | 79,913 | 22.34 | 15 | –1 | |
Democratic Party | 40,395 | 11.29 | 9 | 0 | |
National Popular Front | 24,255 | 6.78 | 4 | +2 | |
Movement for Social Democracy–Citizens' Alliance | 24,022 | 6.72 | 4 | –2 | |
Democratic Front | 21,832 | 6.10 | 4 | New | |
Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation | 15,762 | 4.41 | 3 | +1 | |
Active Citizens – Movement of Cypriot United Hunters | 11,712 | 3.27 | 0 | New | |
Generation Change | 10,095 | 2.82 | 0 | New | |
Solidarity Movement | 8,254 | 2.31 | 0 | –3 | |
Famagusta for Cyprus | 5,596 | 1.56 | 0 | New | |
Awakening 2020 | 4,839 | 1.35 | 0 | New | |
People's Breath | 4,585 | 1.28 | 0 | 0 | |
Animal Party Cyprus | 3,593 | 1.00 | 0 | 0 | |
Patriotic Coalition | 376 | 0.11 | 0 | New | |
Independents | 3,155 | 0.88 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 357,712 | 100.00 | 56 | 0 | |
Valid votes | 357,712 | 97.57 | |||
Invalid votes | 6,826 | 1.86 | |||
Blank votes | 2,070 | 0.56 | |||
Total votes | 366,608 | 100.00 | |||
Registered voters/turnout | 557,836 | 65.72 | |||
Source: Ministry of Interior |
European
[edit]Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic Rally | 91,316 | 24.78 | 2 | 0 | |
Progressive Party of Working People | 79,163 | 21.49 | 1 | –1 | |
Independent – Fidias Panayiotou | 71,330 | 19.36 | 1 | New | |
National Popular Front | 41,215 | 11.19 | 1 | +1 | |
Democratic Party | 35,815 | 9.72 | 1 | 0 | |
EDEK Socialist Party | 18,681 | 5.07 | 0 | –1 | |
Volt Cyprus | 10,777 | 2.92 | 0 | 0 | |
Democratic Alignment | 7,988 | 2.17 | 0 | 0 | |
Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation | 4,742 | 1.29 | 0 | New | |
Movement of Cypriot United Hunters | 4,603 | 1.25 | 0 | New | |
Animal Party Cyprus | 1,013 | 0.27 | 0 | 0 | |
National Action Movement | 979 | 0.27 | 0 | New | |
Independent – Andronikos Zervides | 444 | 0.12 | 0 | New | |
Victory Movement | 389 | 0.11 | 0 | New | |
Total | 368,455 | 100.00 | 6 | 0 | |
Source: https://live.elections.moi.gov.cy/ |
Political pressure groups and leaders
[edit]- Cypriot Workers Union (Greek: Συνομοσπονδία Εργατών Κύπρου (Σ.Ε.Κ.))
- Union of Cypriots (Greek: Ένωσις Κυπρίων; Turkish: Kıbrıslılar Birliği)
- Revolutionary Trade Unions Federation (DEV-İŞ)
- Pan-Cyprian Labour Federation or PEO (Greek: Παγκύπρια Εργατική Ομοσπονδία (Π.Ε.Ο.))
- Eleftheria Citizens Initiative (Greek: Πρωτοβουλία Πολιτών Ελευθερία)
Administrative divisions
[edit]The island is divided into 6 administrative divisions: Nicosia (Lefkosia), Limassol (Lemesos), Larnaca, Paphos, Famagusta (Ammochostos), and Kyrenia.[d]
Exclaves and enclaves
[edit]Cyprus has four exclaves, all in territory that belongs to the British Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. The first two are the villages of Ormidhia and Xylotymvou. Additionally there is the Dhekelia Power Station, which is divided by a British road into two parts. The northern part is an enclave, like the two villages, whereas the southern part is located by the sea and therefore not an enclave —although it has no territorial waters of its own.[30]
The UN buffer zone separating the territory controlled by the Turkish Cypriot administration from the rest of Cyprus runs up against Dhekelia and picks up again from its east side, off of Ayios Nikolaos (connected to the rest of Dhekelia by a thin land corridor). In that sense, the buffer zone turns the south-east corner of the island, the Paralimni area, into a de facto, though not de jure, exclave.
See also
[edit]- Cyprus
- Northern Cyprus
- List of ministers of communications and works of Cyprus
- List of ministers of labour and social insurance of Cyprus
- Corruption in Cyprus
Notes
[edit]- ^ Supported by DIKO, EDEK, DIPA, Solidarity, Active Citizens – United Cypriot Hunters Movement and Animal Party Cyprus
- ^ Supported by AKEL and Generation Change
- ^ Supported by Famagusta for Cyprus
- ^ Occupied area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta (Ammochostos), and small parts of Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Secretariat Council of Ministers". www.cm.gov.cy. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ a b "Council of Ministers Composition | Προεδρία της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας |". www.presidency.gov.cy (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ Ltd, DW Dynamic Works. "House of Representatives - Historical review". House of Representatives. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ a b "Elections: Cyprus Parliament 2021". IFES Election Guide. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
- ^ "ΔΗΣΥ: Από τον Κληρίδη σε Δημητρίου, οι κυριότεροι σταθμοί 47 χρόνων". tothemaonline.com (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ "Γλαύκος Κληρίδης:Ο «πατέρας» του Δημοκρατικού Συναγερμού". avant-garde.com.cy. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2021). "Cyprus". Parties and Elections in Europe.
- ^ Slomp, Hans (30 September 2011). Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics. ABC-CLIO. p. 690. ISBN 978-0-313-39182-8. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Appendix A3: Political Parties" (PDF). European Social Survey (9th ed.). 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-12-31. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
- ^ "Η κρίση του πολιτικού συστήματος και ο ΔΗΣΥ". simerini.sigmalive.com. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Cyprus - Political Parties". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ^ OmegaLive (2023-03-11). "Εκλογές ΔΗΣΥ: Σαρωτική νίκη Αννίτας - Τα ποσοστά". OmegaLive. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ "Cyprus parliament elects first madam speaker". Knews. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ Polignosi. "8 Πρόεδροι και 1 Αντιπρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας". www.polignosi.com. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Κόμματά που ήλθαν, είδαν και απήλθαν". Κόμματά που ήλθαν, είδαν και απήλθαν. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ Polignosi. "Νέοι Ορίζοντες". www.polignosi.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ Polignosi. "Ευρωπαϊκό Κόμμα ΕΥΡΩΚΟ". www.polignosi.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
- ^ "Theocharous leaves DISY, announces new movement (Updated) - Cyprus Mail Cyprus Mail". 2015-11-21. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Αποχώρησε από το ΔΗΣΥ η ευρωβουλευτής Ελένη Θεοχάρους". ProtoThema (in Greek). 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Παραιτήθηκε ο ΥΠΕΞ και διεκδικεί την Προεδρία". Stockwatch - Παράθυρο στην Οικονομία (in Greek). 2022-01-09. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ AlphaNews Live (2022-10-23). Χριστοδουλίδης για Αβέρωφ: "Απαίτησε να παραιτηθώ αλλά δεν θέλω να φτάσουμε στα άκρα". Retrieved 2024-07-14 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Κύπρος: Παραιτήθηκε από ΥΠΕΞ ο Νίκος Χριστοδουλίδης – Εκδήλωσε ενδιαφέρον για τις προεδρικές εκλογές | Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ". www.kathimerini.gr. 9 January 2022. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ AKEL, AKEL (2014-02-01). "88 χρόνια ΚΚΚ- ΑΚΕΛ". ΑΚΕΛ (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Annual report 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ "Annual report 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ Helena Smith, Cyprus gets ready for a communist 'takeover', The Guardian, 2008
- ^ Papadakis, Yiannis; Peristianis, Nicos; Welz, Gisela (18 July 2016). Divided Cyprus: Modernity, History, and an Island in Conflict. Indiana University Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-253-11191-3. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
This is admittedly a rough division that focuses on the largest parties in Cyprus: left-wing AKEL on the Greek Cypriot side...
- ^ Uwe Backes, Patrick Moreau, Communist and Post-Communist Parties in Europe, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2008, ISBN 9783525369128, p. 268 ss.
- ^ Contemporary Far Left Parties in Europe From Marxism to the Mainstream? Luke March, 2008, P.4
- ^ "Cyprus". Archived from the original on 2006-06-29. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
Further reading
[edit]- James Ker-Lindsay and Hubert Faustmann (eds.) (2009). The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Peter Lang. ISBN 978-3-03911-096-4.
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