Thursday, May 28Thursday, May 28Cyprus’s far-right Elam party, inspired by Greece’s defunct Golden Dawn, has surged to become the island’s third-largest political force in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, reshaping the country’s political landscape and leaving President Nikos Christodoulides severely weakened.
Elam secured 12.8% of the vote, nearly doubling its 2021 share and winning seven seats in the 56-member House of Representatives, according to preliminary results . The party’s rise mirrors gains by far-right movements across Europe, with its anti-immigration and nationalist platform resonating amid economic discontent and frustration with traditional parties.
The election also marked a collapse for centrist forces, particularly those backing Christodoulides. Only one of the three parties that supported his 2023 presidential bid—Disy—managed to win seats, while the other two, Diko and Edek, failed to cross the 3.6% threshold . The president’s ability to govern effectively ahead of the 2028 election is now in doubt, with analysts warning he may need to seek new alliances to pass legislation.
In a parallel upset, social media influencer and MEP Fidias Panayiotou’s anti-establishment party, *Fidias*, won three seats, capitalizing on voter disillusionment with corruption and the political elite. However, Panayiotou announced he will retain his European Parliament seat, declining to take up his Cypriot mandate . His party’s success underscores the growing influence of political outsiders in Cyprus, where turnout stood at 65.4%.
The conservative Disy party remained the largest bloc with 17 seats, but its 28.5% share represents a decline from previous elections. The left-wing Akel party, traditionally a major force, secured 14 seats with 23.2% of the vote. The Greens and smaller parties split the remaining seats, further fragmenting the parliament.
The results reflect broader European trends, with far-right and protest parties gaining ground amid economic uncertainty and migration pressures. Cyprus, which has struggled with a divided capital and unresolved reunification talks with the Turkish-occupied north, now faces a more polarized legislature as it grapples with pension reforms, energy disputes, and EU relations. The new parliament is expected to convene in June, with Christodoulides likely to face challenges in forming a stable majority.
Far-right ELAM surges to third-largest force in Cyprus parliamentary vote
Far-right Elam party inspired by Golden Dawn makes big gains in Cyprus elections #Cyprus #TheFarRight #WorldNews #Europe
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