Parliamentary Elections in the Southern Cyprus Greek Administration (May 2026)

The 2026 House of Representatives elections in the Republic of Cyprus were legislative elections held to determine the new members of the 56-seat parliament. The elections held significant importance for the political landscape in the Republic of Cyprus, a presidential system, ahead of the next presidential elections.

A total of 569,182 registered voters were announced in the Republic of Cyprus elections. For the 56 seats in the House of Representatives, 380,851 voters cast their ballots, resulting in a voter turnout of 66.9 percent. Voting took place in 1,217 polling stations, both within the country and abroad. During the election campaign, cost of living, migration, corruption allegations, and the Cyprus issue were among the key agenda items for political parties.

According to unofficial results, the center-right Democratic Rally (DISY) finished first with 27.1 percent of the vote and retained its 17 seats in the House of Representatives. The Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) secured 23.9 percent of the vote and maintained its 15 seats.

The National Popular Front (ELAM) increased its parliamentary representation from four to eight seats with 10.9 percent of the vote. The party opposes a federal model for Cyprus and advocates for the island’s full union with Greece.

The Alma Party, contesting elections for the first time, won 5.8 percent of the vote and elected four members to the House of Representatives. The “Direct Democracy Cyprus” movement, led by social media personality Fidias Panayiotou, won 5.4 percent of the vote and secured four seats in the House of Representatives.

Centrist parties aligned with the Republic of Cyprus leadership, Nikos Christodoulides, suffered vote losses in the elections. The Democratic Party (DIKO) lost one seat, reducing its parliamentary representation to eight seats with 10 percent of the vote. The Movement for Social Democracy (EDEK) and the Democratic Front (DIPA) failed to surpass the 3.6 percent electoral threshold and thus did not win any seats in the parliament.

AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou, speaking on election day, emphasized national issues and political stability. Democratic Front leader Marios Karoyan made comments regarding populism during the election campaign.

Apostolos Apostolou, leader of the People’s Struggle Freedom Party, defined the liberation of Cyprus as the fundamental goal of his party. Independent candidate Andreas Efstratiou criticized the official ballot designation of independent candidates as “individual,” calling for clearer recognition.

Republic of Cyprus leader Nikos Christodoulides signaled a willingness to cooperate with the Alma Party and the “Direct Democracy Cyprus” movement, both of which entered parliament for the first time. DISY President Anita Dimitriu stated that her party would continue to lead in the new parliament. AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou declared that his party’s long-standing decline in votes had come to an end.

ELAM leader Christos Christou viewed the election results as a significant outcome for his party. It was reported that EDEK President Nikos Anastasiou resigned following his party’s failure to enter parliament.