View source for Politics of Cyprus

{{Short description|Political system of Cyprus}}
{{AI-generated|date=September 2025}}
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{{Politics of Cyprus}}

== Ministries ==
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]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Secretariat Council of Ministers |url=http://www.cm.gov.cy/cm/cm.nsf/page31_en/page31_en?OpenDocument |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.cm.gov.cy}}</ref>

# 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, Sports and youth, ''Minister: [[Dr Athena Michaelidou]]'''''
# Ministry of Finance, ''Minister: [[Makis Keravnos]]''
# [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cyprus)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], ''Minister: [[Constantinos Kombos]]''
# Ministry of Health, ''Minister: [[Popi Kanari]]''
# [[Ministry of Interior (Cyprus)|Ministry of Interior]], ''Minister: [[Constantinos Ioannou]]''
# Ministry of Justice and Public Order, ''Minister: [[Anna Prokopiou]]''
# Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, ''Minister: [[Yiannis Panayiotou]]''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Council of Ministers Composition {{!}} Προεδρία της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας {{!}} |url=https://www.presidency.gov.cy/cypresidency/cypresidency.nsf/dmlint_en/dmlint_en?OpenDocument |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.presidency.gov.cy |language=el}}</ref>

=== Deputy Ministries ===
# 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: [[Philippos Hadjizacharias|Nicodemos Damianou]]''
# Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, ''Deputy Minister: [[Marilena Evangelou]]''
# Deputy Ministry of Culture, ''Deputy Minister: [[Vasiliki Kassianidou]]''
# Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Asylum, ''Deputy Minister:'' [[Nicholas A Ioannides]]<ref name=":1" />

==Legislative branch==
The [[House of Representatives of Cyprus|House of Representatives]] ({{Langx|el|Βουλή των Αντιπροσώπων|translit=Voulḗ tōn Antiprosṓpōn|translit-std=ISO}}'';'' {{Langx|tr|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 Church|Latin Catholic]] and [[Armenians|Armenian]] minorities. 24 seats are allocated to the Turkish community, but are currently vacant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=DW Dynamic Works |title=House of Representatives - Historical review |url=https://www.parliament.cy/en/general-information/historical-review |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=House of Representatives |language=en}}</ref>

==Political parties==
{{elect|List of political parties in Cyprus|Elections in Cyprus}}

The Cyprus party political system is basically consisted by the classic four parties, named the "Classic Quartet" of the Cyprus political system traditionally refer to the right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY), the left-wing Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), the Centrist movement of Democratic Party (DIKO), and the Social-Democratic movement of United Democratic Union of Centre (EDEK).

=== Democratic Rally (DISY) ===
{{Main|Democratic Rally}}
The [[Centre-right politics|centre-right]] [[Democratic Rally|Democratic Rally (DISY)]] is the largest political party in Cyprus, currently holding 17 of the 56 seats in the [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Elections: Cyprus Parliament 2021 |url=https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/3638/ |access-date=2021-02-14 |website=IFES Election Guide}}</ref> Founded on July 4, 1976, by veteran politician [[Glafcos Clerides]], DISY emerged from the split of the [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] "[[Eniaion]]" into two opposing parties: [[Democratic Rally|DISY]] and [[Democratic Party (Cyprus)|DIKO]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=ΔΗΣΥ: Από τον Κληρίδη σε Δημητρίου, οι κυριότεροι σταθμοί 47 χρόνων |url=https://www.tothemaonline.com/Article/344948/dhsy-apo-ton-klhridh-se-dhmhtrioy-oi-kyrioteroi-stathmoi-47-hronwn- |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=tothemaonline.com |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Γλαύκος Κληρίδης:Ο "πατέρας" του Δημοκρατικού Συναγερμού |url=https://avant-garde.com.cy/new-works/new-identity/glafkos-kliridis |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=avant-garde.com.cy |language=en}}</ref>

DISY is a [[Christian democratic]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Nordsieck |first=Wolfram |date=2021 |title=Cyprus |url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/cyprus.html |website=Parties and Elections in Europe}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Slomp |first=Hans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LmfAPmwE6YYC&pg=PA690 |title=Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics |date=30 September 2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-39182-8 |page=690 |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> and [[liberal-conservative]]<ref>{{cite web |year=2018 |title=Appendix A3: Political Parties |url=https://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/docs/round9/survey/ESS9_appendix_a3_e03_0.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231075648/https://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/docs/round9/survey/ESS9_appendix_a3_e03_0.pdf |archive-date=2022-12-31 |access-date=2021-10-11 |work=[[European Social Survey]] |edition=9th}}</ref> [[List of political parties in Cyprus|party]], often described as the most [[Atlanticism|Atlanticist]], pro-[[NATO]] and pro-[[European Union|EU]] party in Cyprus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Η κρίση του πολιτικού συστήματος και ο ΔΗΣΥ |url=https://simerini.sigmalive.com/article/2024/4/1/e-krise-tou-politikou-sustematos-kai-o-desu/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=simerini.sigmalive.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cyprus - Political Parties |url=http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/64.htm |access-date=2 April 2016}}</ref> The party is currently led by [[Annita Demetriou]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=OmegaLive |date=2023-03-11 |title=Εκλογές ΔΗΣΥ: Σαρωτική νίκη Αννίτας - Τα ποσοστά |url=https://omegalive.com.cy/politikh/ekloges-desu-sarotiki-nike-annitas-ta-pososta/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=OmegaLive |language=en}}</ref> who also serves as the President of the Cypriot [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]], making her the first woman to hold this office.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 June 2021 |title=Cyprus parliament elects first madam speaker |url=https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/cyprus-parliament-elects-first-madam-speaker |access-date=26 June 2021 |work=Knews}}</ref> Two former leaders of the party have served as [[President of Cyprus|Presidents of Cyprus]], [[Glafcos Clerides]] (1993–2003) and [[Nicos Anastasiades]] (2013–2023).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polignosi |title=8 Πρόεδροι και 1 Αντιπρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας |url=https://www.polignosi.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=40410&-V=specials |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=www.polignosi.com}}</ref> DISY is a member of the [[European People's Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Party |first=EPP-European People's |title=EPP - European People's Party |url=https://www.epp.eu/press-releases/disy-the-reliable-choice-for-the-prosperous-future-of-cyprus/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=EPP - European People's Party |language=en-US}}</ref>

Over the years, internal disagreements, particularly regarding the [[Cyprus problem|Cyprus issue]], have led to the formation of three splinter parties: the [[European Party (Cyprus)|European Party (EvroKo)]], [[European Democracy (Cyprus)|European Democracy (EvroDi)]]<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Κόμματά που ήλθαν, είδαν και απήλθαν |url=https://reporter.com.cy/article/2016/12/4/312051/kommata-pou-elthan-eidan-kai-apelthan/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Κόμματά που ήλθαν, είδαν και απήλθαν |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Polignosi |title=Νέοι Ορίζοντες |url=https://www.polignosi.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=8062&-V=limmata |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=www.polignosi.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Polignosi |title=Ευρωπαϊκό Κόμμα ΕΥΡΩΚΟ |url=https://www.polignosi.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=3957&-V=limmata |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=www.polignosi.com}}</ref> and [[Solidarity Movement (Cyprus)|Solidarity Movement]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-11-21 |title=Theocharous leaves DISY, announces new movement (Updated) - Cyprus Mail Cyprus Mail |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2015/11/20/68892/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121170809/https://cyprus-mail.com/2015/11/20/68892/ |archive-date=2015-11-21 |access-date=2024-07-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-11-20 |title=Αποχώρησε από το ΔΗΣΥ η ευρωβουλευτής Ελένη Θεοχάρους |url=https://www.protothema.gr/politics/article/528995/apohorise-apo-to-disu-i-eurovouleutis-eleni-theoharous/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=ProtoThema |language=el}}</ref> 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 [[Nicos Anastasiades|Anastasiades]]. Christodoulides sought DISY's nomination for the [[2023 Cypriot presidential election|2023 presidential election]], but following accusations of undermining his campaign, he resigned from his ministerial role and launched an independent candidacy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-09 |title=Παραιτήθηκε ο ΥΠΕΞ και διεκδικεί την Προεδρία |url=https://www.stockwatch.com.cy/el/article/politika/paraitithike-o-ypex-kai-diekdikei-tin-proedria |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Stockwatch - Παράθυρο στην Οικονομία |language=el}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUzvln1RJbQ |title=Χριστοδουλίδης για Αβέρωφ: "Απαίτησε να παραιτηθώ αλλά δεν θέλω να φτάσουμε στα άκρα" |date=2022-10-23 |last=AlphaNews Live |access-date=2024-07-14 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2022 |title=Κύπρος: Παραιτήθηκε από ΥΠΕΞ ο Νίκος Χριστοδουλίδης – Εκδήλωσε ενδιαφέρον για τις προεδρικές εκλογές &#124; Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ |url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/world/561661615/kypros-paraitithike-apo-ypex-o-nikos-christdoylidis-ekdilose-endiaferon-gia-tis-proedrikes-ekloges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109103239/https://www.kathimerini.gr/world/561661615/kypros-paraitithike-apo-ypex-o-nikos-christdoylidis-ekdilose-endiaferon-gia-tis-proedrikes-ekloges/ |archive-date=9 January 2022 |access-date=13 January 2022 |website=www.kathimerini.gr}}</ref>

==== Notable Figures ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" class="center">
File:Nicos Anastasiades, November 2022 (ABG GPO1).jpeg|[[Nicos Anastasiades|Nikos Anastasiades]], former [[Member of parliament|MP]], President of '''DISY''' (1997–2013) and [[President of Cyprus]] (2013–2023).
File:Averof Neofytou 2022 cropped.jpg|[[Member of parliament|MP]] [[Averof Neofytou]], former President of '''DISY''' (2013–2023) and '''DISY'''<nowiki/>'s candidate for the [[2013 Cypriot presidential election|2023 presidential election]].
File:Annita Demetriou visits Ireland, June 2023 01 (cropped).jpg|[[Member of parliament|MP]] [[Annita Demetriou]], President of '''DISY''' (2023–present) and President of the [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]] (2021–present).
File:Иоаннис Касулидис.jpg|[[Ioannis Kasoulidis]], former [[Ministry of foreign affairs|Minister of Foreign Affairs]], [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] and '''DISY'''<nowiki/>'s candidate for the [[2008 Cypriot presidential election|2008 presidential election]].
File:MEP Loukas Fourlas.jpg|[[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Loukas Fourlas]], '''DISY''' [[Member of the European Parliament]] since 2019. 
File:Stella Kyriakides, 2020.jpg|[[Stella Kyriakides]], former '''DISY''' [[Member of parliament|MP]], former President of the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] (2017–2018) and former [[European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety]] (2019–2024).
File:Λευτέρης Χριστοφόρου Ευρωκοινοβούλιο.jpg|[[Lefteris Christoforou]], former '''DISY''' [[Member of parliament|MP]] (1996–2014) and [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] (2014–2022), Member of the [[European Court of Auditors]] (2022–present).
</gallery>

==== Notable Former Party Members ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" class="center">
File:Christodoulides2019a.jpg|[[President of Cyprus|President]] [[Nikos Christodoulides]], former Spokesman of [[Second Anastasiades government|Anastasiades' Government]] (2014–2018) and [[List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] (2018–2022), and [[Independent politician|Independent]] [[President of Cyprus]] (2023–present)
File:Eleni Theocharous (cropped).jpg|[[Eleni Theocharous]], former '''DISY''' [[Member of parliament|MP]] and [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]], founder of the DISY splinter party [[Solidarity Movement (Cyprus)|Solidarity Movement]].
File:Dimitris Syllouris - 2017 (37947273235) (cropped).jpg|[[Demetris Syllouris]], expelled '''DISY''' [[Member of parliament|MP]] (2001–2004), president of the DISY splinter party [[European Party (Cyprus)|EVROKO]] (2005–2016) and former [[House of Representatives of Cyprus|President of the House of Representatives]] (2016–2020).
</gallery>

=== Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) ===
{{Main|Progressive Party of Working People}}

The [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]] [[Progressive Party of Working People|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 (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]].<ref name=":2" /> It was founded in 1926 with the name "Communist Party of Cyprus" fighting against [[fascism]], [[imperialism]] and [[chauvinism]], but also aiming at the [[London and Zürich Agreements|independence of Cyprus]] from [[British Cyprus|British rule]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=AKEL |first=AKEL |date=2014-02-01 |title=88 χρόνια ΚΚΚ- ΑΚΕΛ |url=https://akel.org.cy/88-%CF%87%CF%81%CF%8C%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CE%BA%CE%BA%CE%BA-%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%B5%CE%BB/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=ΑΚΕΛ |language=el}}</ref>

AKEL is a [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]], [[Euroscepticism|eurosceptic]] and [[Communism|communist]] [[Communist party|party]],<ref name=":02">{{cite web |title=Annual report 2011 |url=http://www.socialprotection.eu/files_db/1100/asisp_ANR11_Cyprus.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215212916/http://socialprotection.eu/files_db/1100/asisp_ANR11_Cyprus.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2013 |access-date=27 August 2012}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{cite web |title=Annual report 2010 |url=http://www.socialprotection.eu/files_db/886/asisp_ANR10_Cyprus.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215214049/http://socialprotection.eu/files_db/886/asisp_ANR10_Cyprus.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2013 |access-date=27 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">Helena Smith, ''[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/24/cyprus Cyprus gets ready for a communist 'takeover']'', [https://web.archive.org/web/19961105173344/http://www.guardian.co.uk/ The Guardian], 2008</ref> classified as [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Papadakis |first1=Yiannis |last2=Peristianis |first2=Nicos |last3=Welz |first3=Gisela |title=Divided Cyprus: Modernity, History, and an Island in Conflict |date=18 July 2016 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-11191-3 |page=80 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wzPG7b_m4swC&pg=PA80 |access-date=25 October 2020 |language=en |quotation=This is admittedly a rough division that focuses on the largest parties in Cyprus: left-wing AKEL on the Greek Cypriot side...}}</ref><ref>Uwe Backes, Patrick Moreau, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=H23Pv4Ik3vMC&pg=PA275 Communist and Post-Communist Parties in Europe]'', Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2008, {{ISBN|9783525369128}}, p. 268 ss.</ref> to [[Far-left politics|far-left]].<ref>[https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/id/ipa/05818.pdf Contemporary Far Left Parties in Europe From Marxism to the Mainstream? Luke March, 2008, P.4]</ref> It is currently led by [[Member of parliament|MP]] [[Stefanos Stefanou]] and it is a member of [[The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL|The Left in the European Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AKEL |url=https://left.eu/groups/akel/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=The Left}}</ref> 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 [[Makarios III|Archbishop Makarios III]], [[Spyros Kyprianou]], [[George Vassiliou]] and [[Tassos Papadopoulos]].

==== Notable Figures ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" class="center">
File:Demetris Christofias in February 2011.jpg|[[Demetris Christofias]], former General Secretary of '''AKEL''' (1988–2009), President of the [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]] (2001–2008) and [[President of Cyprus]] (2008–2013).
File:Andros-Kyprianou-2011.jpg|[[Member of parliament|MP]] [[Andros Kyprianou]], former General Secretary of '''AKEL''' (2009–2021).
File:Συνάντηση Υπουργού Εξωτερικών, Νίκου Δένδια, με τον Γενικό Γραμματέα του ΑΚΕΛ, Σ. Στεφάνου (Αθήνα, 15.09.2021) cropped.jpg|[[Member of parliament|MP]] [[Stefanos Stefanou]], General Secretary of '''AKEL''' since 2021.
File:Irene Charalambides, Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, Marrakech, 4 October 2019 (cropped).jpg|[[Member of parliament|MP]] [[Irene Charalambidou]], vice-president of the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]].
File:Stavros Malas (cropped).png|[[Stavros Malas]], former [[List of Ministers of Health of the Republic of Cyprus|Minister of Health]] (2011–2013) and '''AKEL'''-backed independent candidate in the [[2013 Cypriot presidential election|2013]] and [[2018 Cypriot presidential election|2018]] presidential elections.
File:Mayor of Nicosia Eleni Mavrou at her office Republic of Cyprus.jpg|[[Eleni Mavrou]], former '''AKEL''' [[Member of parliament|MP]] (2001–2006), Minister of Interior (2012–2013) and Mayor of [[Nicosia]] (2007–2011).
File:Andreas Christou (cropped).jpg|[[Andreas Christou]], former '''AKEL''' [[Member of parliament|MP]] (1991–2003), [[Ministry of Interior (Cyprus)|Interior Minister]] (2003–2006), Minister of Health (2004–2005) and Mayor of [[Limassol]] (2007–2016).
</gallery>

==== Notable Former Party Members ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" class="center">
File:Giorgos Lillikas Senate of Poland.JPG|[[Giorgos Lillikas]], former '''AKEL''' [[Member of parliament|MP]] (1996–2003), founder of the splinter party [[Citizens' Alliance (Cyprus)|Citizens' Alliance]], and independent candidate at the [[2013 Cypriot presidential election]].
</gallery>

=== Democratic Party (DIKO) ===

{{Main|Democratic Party (Cyprus)}}

DIKO is variously described as [[Centrism|centrist]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Cyprus&nbsp;&ndash; Political parties |url=https://nsd.no/european_election_database/country/cyprus/parties.html |work=European Election Database |publisher=[[Norwegian Centre for Research Data]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2018 |title=Appendix A3: Political Parties |url=http://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/docs/round9/survey/ESS9_appendix_a3_e03_0.pdf |work=[[European Social Survey]] |edition=9th}}</ref> [[centre-left]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Athanasiadis |first=Konstantinos |url=https://eprints.luiss.it/1344/1/EUROPEAN_PARLIAMENT_ELECTION_2014_DE_SIO_EMANUELE_MAGGINI.pdf |title=The European Parliament Elections of 2014 |date=30 May 2014 |publisher=CISE |isbn=978-88-98012-16-9 |editor1-last=De Sio |editor1-first=Lorenzo |page=164 |chapter=Cyprus: Disapproval through abstention in EU’s remotest 'outpost' |access-date=31 May 2019 |editor2-last=Emanuele |editor2-first=Vincenzo |editor3-last=Maggini |editor3-first=Nicola |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811122921/http://eprints.luiss.it/1344/1/EUROPEAN_PARLIAMENT_ELECTION_2014_DE_SIO_EMANUELE_MAGGINI.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> or [[centre-right]];<ref>{{cite book |last=Ker-Lindsay |first=James |title=Doing Business with the Republic of Cyprus |publisher=[[GMB Publishing]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-905050-54-3 |editor-last=Dew |editor-first=Philip |page=16 |chapter=Government, Politics and Accession to the European Union |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q_cG61SQ8MAC&pg=PA16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Neofytos Loizides |title=Transformations of the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot Right: Right-wing Peace-makers? |work= |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |others=Beyond a Divided Cyprus: A State and Society in Transformation |year=2012 |isbn=9780230338548 |page=186}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Nathalie Tocci |author-link=Nathalie Tocci |title=Greece, Turkey and Cyprus |work= |publisher=Oxford University Press |others=European Politic |year=2007 |page=125}}</ref> internationally, it is a member of the [[Progressive Alliance]], which groups together mainly centre-left parties.<ref name="Democratic Party">{{cite web|script-title=el:Το ΔΗ.ΚΟ. συνδέεται με την "Προοδευτική Συμμαχία" |url=http://diko.org.cy/easyconsole.cfm/id/2643 |publisher=Democratic Party |access-date=2 December 2013 |location=Nicosia |language=el |date=24 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035915/http://diko.org.cy/easyconsole.cfm/id/2643 |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}</ref> DIKO claims to be the most loyal follower of the policies of [[Makarios III|Archbishop Makarios]], the founding father of the Republic of Cyprus.<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/cyprus/64.htm Eric Solsten, ed. Cyprus: A Country Study, US Congress]</ref> It is currently led by [[Nikolas Papadopoulos]], son of [[Tassos Papadopoulos]], former [[President of Cyprus]] and of DIKO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Κόμμα |first=Δημοκρατικό |title=Παπαδόπουλος Νικόλας |url=https://democraticparty.org.cy/mp/nicholaspapadopoulos/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=Δημοκρατικό Κόμμα |language=el}}</ref>

At its inception in 1976, DIKO maintained the [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] ideology of its parent-party, [[Eniaion]].<ref name=":3" /> However, in June 2003, under the leadership of [[Tassos Papadopoulos]], DIKO announced a shift away from its traditional [[Centre-right politics|centre-right]] stance and declared an intention to move towards [[social democracy]].<ref name="Dew2005">{{cite book |author=Philip Dew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q_cG61SQ8MAC&pg=PA16 |title=Doing Business with the Republic of Cyprus |publisher=GMB Publishing Ltd |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-905050-54-3 |pages=16–}}</ref> The party has adopted a firm and hardline stance on the [[Cyprus problem]], particularly in its strong opposition to the [[Annan Plan]] in 2004. While DIKO supports [[European integration]] and advocates a non-aligned foreign policy, it has also expressed support for Cyprus joining [[Partnership for Peace|NATO's Partnership for Peace]].<ref>Christophoros Christophorou (2009). The Evolution of Greek Cypriot Party Politics. The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Peter Lang. p. 90.</ref>

Two former leaders of the party have served as [[President of Cyprus|Presidents of Cyprus]], [[Spyros Kyprianou]] (1977–1988) and [[Tassos Papadopoulos]] (2003–2008). The current [[President of Cyprus]], [[Nikos Christodoulides]], although running as an [[Independent politician|independent]], was supported by [[Democratic Party (Cyprus)|DIKO]], making the party the largest in the current [[Christodoulides government|government]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dalites |first=Frixos |date=25 June 2023 |title=Το ΔΗΚΟ ως ρυθμιστικός πυλώνας της Κυβέρνησης – Οι υποψήφιοι για την αντιπροεδρία στον "Φ" |url=https://www.philenews.com/politiki/article/1337223/to-diko-os-rithmistikos-pilonas-tis-kivernisis-i-ipopsifii-gia-tin-antiproedria-ston-f/ |work=Philenews}}</ref>

Internal disagreements over the [[Cyprus problem]] led to the creation of the splinter party [[Democratic Alignment (Cyprus)|Democratic Alignment (DIPA)]], in 2018, led by the former president of DIKO, [[Marios Garoyian]].

==== Notable Figures ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" class="center">
File:Spyros Kyprianou UN (cropped).jpg|[[Spyros Kyprianou]], former President of '''DIKO''' (1976–2000), President of the [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]] (1976–1977, 1996–2001) and [[President of Cyprus]] (1977–1988).
File:Tassos Papadopoulos.jpg|[[Tassos Papadopoulos]], former President of '''DIKO''' (200–2006), President of the [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]] (1976) and [[President of Cyprus]] (2003–2008).
File:Nikolas papadopoulos 2020.jpg|[[Member of parliament|MP]] [[Nikolas Papadopoulos]], President of '''DIKO''' since 2013 and '''DIKO'''<nowiki/>'s candidate in the [[2018 Cypriot presidential election|2018 presidential election]].
File:MEP Costas Mavrides.jpg|[[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Costas Mavrides]], '''DIKO'''<nowiki/>'s [[Member of the European Parliament]] since 2014.
File:Makis KERAVNOS.jpg|[[Makis Keravnos]], member of '''DIKO''', former [[List of Ministers of Labour and Social Insurance of Cyprus|Minister of Labor and Social Security]] (2003–2004), and [[List of Ministers of Finance of Cyprus|Minister of Finance]] since 2023.
File:Antigoni Papadopoulou Photo.jpg|[[Antigoni Papadopoulou]], former [[Member of parliament|MP]] (2001–2009), [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] (2009–2014), [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]] (2001–2009) and Mayor of [[Morphou]] (1996–2001).
File:Vasilis PALMAS.jpg|[[Vasilis Palmas]], member of '''DIKO''', former Government Spokesperson (2007–2008), Deputy Minister to the President (2017–2022), and [[List of Ministers of Defence of Cyprus|Minister of Defence]] since 2024.
</gallery>

=== United Democratic Union of Centre (EDEK) ===

{{Main|EDEK Socialist Party}}

The EDEK Socialist Party, officially the Movement for Social Democracy, is a progressive centre, social-democratic party in Cyprus founded in 1969 by [[Vassos Lyssaridis]] with strong anti-imperialist and Greek-Cypriot nationalist roots. Initially inspired by Third-World socialism and non-alignment, it transitioned into a European-style social-democratic party while retaining its nationalist stance, often opposing federal solutions to the Cyprus problem. It consistently garners around 10% of votes, putting it in the 4th place of the Cypriot party list, maintaining a modest parliamentary presence.

In the 1980s and 1990s, it gradually transitioned into a European-style social-democratic party, joining the Socialist International and the Party of European Socialists, while maintaining nationalist positions on the Cyprus problem. In 2000 the party presintency passed to [[Yiannakis Omirou]]. In 2004, continuing its moderate centre path, involving also to the EU parliament elections, with several Members of the European Parliament, like [[Kyriakos Mavronikolas]].

Two former leaders of the party have served as [[president of the Cypriot parliament]], Dr [[Vassos Lyssaridis]] 1985-1991 and [[Yiannakis Omirou]] 2011-2016. Also in 2023 it supporter the current [[Christodoulides government|government]].

==== Notable Figures ====
<gallery widths="150" heights="150" class="center">
File:Яннакис Омиру.jpg|[[Yiannakis Omirou]], former President of '''EDEK''' (2000–2015), President of the [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]] (2011-2011). Also and Minister of Defence 1998-1999.
File:MEP Kyriakos Mavronikolas (cropped).jpg|[[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Kyriakos Mavronikolas]], '''EDEK''' [[Member of the European Parliament]] 2009-2014 and Minister of Defence 2004-2006.
</gallery>

== Latest elections ==

=== President ===
{{main|2023 Cypriot presidential election}}{{Election results|blank=1671|blank2=3986|cand1=[[Nikos Christodoulides]]|cand10=Celestina de Petro|cand11=Andronicos Zervides|cand12=Ioulia Khovrina Komninou|cand13=[[Andreas Efstratiou]]|cand14=Loukas Stavrou|cand2=[[Andreas Mavroyiannis]]|cand3=[[Averof Neofytou]]|cand4=[[Christos Christou (politician)|Christos Christou]]|cand5=Achilleas Dimitriades|cand6=Constantinos Christofides|cand8=Alexios Savvides|cand9=Charalampos Aristotelous|color1=#E6E6E6|cand7=Georgios Colocassides|color12=#7f1933|color14=#545454|color2=#E6E6E6|color5=#E6E6E6|color6=#32c0ff|electorate=561273|electorate2=561273|invalid=5333|invalid2=8428|party1=Independent{{efn|Supported by [[DIKO]], [[EDEK]], [[Democratic Alignment (Cyprus)|DIPA]], [[Solidarity Movement (Cyprus)|Solidarity]], Active Citizens – United Cypriot Hunters Movement and Animal Party Cyprus}}|party10=Independent|party11=Independent|party12=United Cyprus Republican Party|party13=Independent|party14=National Communitarian Reconstruction|party2=Independent{{efn|Supported by [[AKEL]] and [[Generation Change]]}}|party3=[[Democratic Rally]]|party4=[[ELAM (Cyprus)|National Popular Front]]|party5=Independent{{efn|Supported by Famagusta for Cyprus}}|party6=[[New Wave – The Other Cyprus]]|party7=Independent|party8=Independent|party9=Independent|source=[http://results.elections.moi.gov.cy/English/PRESIDENTIAL_ELECTIONS_2023/Islandwide Central Electoral Service], [http://live.elections.moi.gov.cy/English/PRESIDENTIAL__RUNOFF_ELECTIONS_2023/Islandwide Central Electoral Service]|votes1=127309|votes1_2=204867|votes10=575|votes11=341|votes12=330|votes13=299|votes14=165|votes2_2=189335|votes2=117551|votes3=103748|votes4=23988|votes5=8137|votes6=6326|votes7=5287|votes8=2395|votes9=866}}

=== Parliament ===
{{main|2021 Cypriot legislative election}}
{{#section-h:2021 Cypriot legislative election|Results}}

=== European ===
{{main|2024 European Parliament election in Cyprus}}
{{Election results|image=<!-- TBD-->|party1=[[Democratic Rally]]|votes1=91316|seats1=2|sc1=0|party2=[[Progressive Party of Working People]]|votes2=79163|seats2=1|sc2=–1|party3=Independent – [[Fidias Panayiotou]]|votes3=71330|seats3=1|sc3=New|color3={{party color|Independent}}|party4=[[ELAM (Cyprus)|National Popular Front]]|votes4=41215|seats4=1|sc4=+1|party5=[[Democratic Party (Cyprus)|Democratic Party]]|votes5=35815|seats5=1|sc5=0|party6=[[EDEK Socialist Party]]|votes6=18681|seats6=0|sc6=–1|party7=[[Volt Cyprus]]|votes7=10777|seats7=0|sc7=0|party8=[[Democratic Alignment (Cyprus)|Democratic Alignment]]|votes8=7988|seats8=0|sc8=0|party9=[[Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation]]|votes9=4742|seats9=0|sc9=New|party10=[[Active Citizens – Movement of Cypriot United Hunters|Movement of Cypriot United Hunters]]|votes10=4603|seats10=0|sc10=New|party11=[[Animal Party Cyprus]]|votes11=1013|seats11=0|sc11=0|party12=[[National Action Movement (Cyprus)|National Action Movement]]|votes12=979|seats12=0|sc12=New|party13=Independent – [[Andronikos Zervides]]|votes13=444|seats13=00|sc13=New|color13={{party color|Independent}}|party14=[[Victory Movement]]|votes14=389|seats14=0|sc14=New|total_sc=0|invalid=<!--TBD -->|blank=<!--TBD -->|electorate=<!--TBD -->|source=https://live.elections.moi.gov.cy/}}</onlyinclude>

==Political pressure groups and leaders==
# [[Cyprus Workers' Confederation|Cypriot Workers Union]] ({{Langx|el|Συνομοσπονδία Εργατών Κύπρου (Σ.Ε.Κ.)}})
# [[Union of Cypriots]] ({{Langx|el|Ένωσις Κυπρίων}}; {{Langx|tr|Kıbrıslılar Birliği}})
# [[Revolutionary Trade Unions Federation]] (DEV-İŞ) 
# [[Pancyprian Federation of Labour|Pan-Cyprian Labour Federation or PEO]] ({{Langx|el|Παγκύπρια Εργατική Ομοσπονδία (Π.Ε.Ο.)}})
# Eleftheria Citizens Initiative ({{Langx|el|Πρωτοβουλία Πολιτών Ελευθερία}})

== Administrative divisions ==
[[File:Cyprus administrative.jpg|thumb|Map of the [[Districts of Cyprus|Districts]] in Cyprus]]
{{See also|Districts of Cyprus}}
The island is divided into 6 administrative divisions: [[Nicosia District|Nicosia]] (Lefkosia), [[Limassol District|Limassol]] (Lemesos), [[Larnaca District|Larnaca]], [[Paphos District|Paphos]], [[Famagusta District|Famagusta]] (Ammochostos), and [[Kyrenia District|Kyrenia]].{{Efn|Occupied area's administrative divisions include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta (Ammochostos), and small parts of Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca.}}

==Exclaves and enclaves==
Cyprus has four [[exclave]]s, all in territory that belongs to the [[Akrotiri and Dhekelia|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 &mdash;although it has no territorial waters of its own.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geosite.jankrogh.com/cyprus.htm |title=Cyprus |access-date=2006-06-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629051443/http://geosite.jankrogh.com/cyprus.htm |archive-date=2006-06-29 }}</ref>

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, SBA|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==
*[[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 ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |author= |title=The Government and Politics of Cyprus |publisher=Peter Lang |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-03911-096-4 |editor-last=Ker-Lindsay |editor-first=James |editor-last2=Faustmann |editor-first2=Hubert}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090527075708/http://www.kyproekloges.com/ Cyprus Elections by KyproEkloges.com]

{{Cyprus topics}}
{{Asia topic|Politics of}}
{{Politics of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Cyprus}}
[[Category:Politics of Cyprus| ]]
[[Category:Government of Cyprus]]

[[bn:সাইপ্রাস#রাজনীতি]]