Election workers count votes at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus, on May 24, 2026.Image: keystone
May 24, 2026, 7:44 p.mMay 24, 2026, 7:44 p.m
The conservatives of the General Democratic Movement (DISY) emerged victorious in the parliamentary elections in the EU island republic of Cyprus. After counting 85 percent of the votes, they come to around 27 percent. The left-wing AKEL party was the second strongest party with 23.8 percent. The Cypriot Interior Ministry announced this on Sunday evening. The voter turnout was 66.6 percent. The official final result and the exact distribution of seats in the 56-seat parliament should be available on Monday, reported the Cypriot broadcaster RIK.
The third strongest force is the ultranationalist National Popular Front (ELAM) with around eleven percent. The political center party DIKO has ten percent. Two smaller parties – including that of a YouTuber – are also expected to enter parliament. All relevant parties are considered fundamentally pro-European.
However, the election does not have a direct impact on the government: according to the constitution, political power lies with the head of state, who is directly elected by the people. Conservative President Nikos Christodoulidis, in office since 2023, forms and leads the government. Parliament primarily assumes a control function. The election is therefore considered an important mood barometer for the 2028 presidential election. (sda/dpa)