Greek Cypriot opposition DISY wins parliamentary election

The centre‑right Democratic Rally (DISY) has secured first place in the parliamentary election of the Greek Cypriot administration, according to unofficial results published Sunday. DISY won 27.1% of the vote, retaining its 17 seats in the 56‑seat House of Representatives. Voter turnout stood at 66.9%, with 380,851 of 569,182 registered voters casting ballots.

Far‑right surge and new entrants

The far‑left Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) received 23.9% and also kept its 15 seats. The far‑right National Popular Front (ELAM) was the election’s surprise, increasing its representation from four to eight seats after securing 10.9% of the vote. ELAM opposes a federal solution in Cyprus and advocates full union with Greece. Two newly established parties entered parliament for the first time: the Alma Party won 5.8% (four seats), and Direct Democracy Cyprus, led by anti‑Israel social media personality Fidias Panayiotou, received 5.4% (also four seats).

Losers and leadership changes

Centrist parties close to Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides lost ground. DIKO fell to eight seats (10% of the vote). EDEK and DIPA both remained around 3.2%, failing to surpass the 3.6% threshold, thus losing parliamentary representation. EDEK president Nikos Anastasiou resigned after the party’s failure to enter parliament. Christodoulides signalled willingness to cooperate with the two new parliamentary entrants.