Compiled by the Cyprus Press and Information Office
The House of Representatives is located in the capital Nicosia and has 80 seats. Fifty-six (56) are occupied by elected members from the Greek Cypriot community while 24 seats are reserved for the Turkish Cypriot community according to the 70:30 ratio of representation specified in the Constitution. These however remain vacant pending the reunification of the island following a settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Elections are held every 5 years and a minimum of 1,8% of the votes is required to enter the House of Representatives. The last elections were held on 27 May 2001 and the previous elections were held on 26 May 1996.
Current distribution of seats in the House of Representatives (2001-2006):
Party Number of Seats
AKEL 20
DISY 15
DIKO 9
EDEK 4
EURO.KO 4
EURO.DE 1
EDI 1
ADIK 1
ECOLOGISTS 1
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The main political parties in Cyprus are:
1. Progressive Party of Working People
(Anorthotiko Komma Ergazomenou Laou) – AKEL
Tel: 22761121, Fax: 22761574
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.akel.org.cy/
General Secretary: Mr Demetris Christofias, President of the House of Representatives
20 seats in House of Representatives. Secured 34,71% of the votes in the May 2001 elections (Gained 1 seat, +1,71%).
Left wing party based on Marxist-Leninist principles, taking into account current international political and economic developments.
Founded in 1941, the party is successor to the Communist Party of Cyprus, which held its first congress in 1926 but was declared illegal by the British authorities in 1931. Constituted in 1941, AKEL absorbed the Communist Party. It was declared illegal during the anti-colonial struggle from 1955 to 1959.
It supports an independent, demilitarised and non-aligned Cyprus, and a federal solution of the internal aspect of the Cyprus problem. It places particular emphasis on rapprochement with the Turkish Cypriots. It supports entry into the European Union with certain reservations and opposes early adoption of the Euro.
2. Democratic Rally (Dimokratikos Synagermos) – DISY
Tel.: 22883000, Fax: 22759894
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.disy.org.cy/
19 seats in House of Representatives. Secured 34% of the votes in the May 2001 elections (Lost 1 seat, – 0,47%).
President: Mr Nicos Anastasiades
Centre party founded in 1976 by former President Glafcos Clerides. In 2004 four MPs left the party following disagreements. Elected two members of the European Parliament in June 2004 (out of a total of six).
Member of the European People’s Party, Christian Democrat International, European Democrat Union, and International Democrat Union.
It supports a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
3. Democratic Party (Dimokratiko Komma) – DIKO
Tel: 22873800, Fax: 22873801
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.diko.org.cy/
9 seats in House of Representatives
Secured 14,84% of the votes (Lost 1 seat in the May 2001 elections, -1,59%)
President: Mr Tassos Papadopoulos (President of the Republic)
Centre right party founded in 1976 by the late Spyros Kyprianou, second President of the Republic of Cyprus.
It supports a settlement of the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions and decisions and in compliance with the EU acquis communautaire.
It spearheaded the campaign to reject the U.N.’s “Annan Plan” in the April 2004 referendum.
4. Social Democrats EDEK (Kinima Sosialdimokraton EDEK)
Tel: 22670121, 22678617, Fax: 22678894
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.edek.org.cy
It has 4 seats in House of Representatives. It secured 6,51% of the votes in the May 2001 elections (Lost 1 seat, -1,62%)
President: Mr Yiannakis Omirou
The Party is a continuation of the Socialist Party EDEK, founded in 1969 by its honorary President Dr Vassos Lyssarides. It is a member of European Socialist Party and Socialist International.
It supports an independent and united Cyprus within a federal system with a strong central government and a settlement based on UN resolutions and the EU acquis communautaire that safeguards human rights for all its citizens.
5. European Party – EURO.KO
(Evropaiko Komma)
http://www.europaikokomma.org
President: Mr Demetris Syllouris
This centre right party was founded on July 3, 2005, when the New Horizons Party merged with the European Party that was established by four deputies who left DISY. It has 4 seats in the House of Parliament and is a founding member of the European Democratic Party (EPD).
It believes in a single unitary state and is also in favour of the EU’s closer involvement in the procedures towards the solution to the problem.
EURO.KO and the single-seat ADIK are running on a joint ballot in the parliamentary elections of May 21, 2006.
6. United Democrats (Enomeni Dimokrates) – EDI
Tel: 22663030, Fax: 22664747
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.edi.org.cy
1 seat in House of Representatives
Secured 2,59% of the votes in the May 2001 elections (Lost 1 seat, -2,54%)
President: Mr. Michalis Papapetrou
Party of the centre, founded on 1 December 1996
It advocates the creation of a federation and a settlement based on UN resolutions. It supports Cyprus’ entry into the European Union.
The Movement of Free Democrats (KED) of former President of Cyprus Mr George Vassiliou and the Democratic Socialist Reform Movement (ADISOK) of Mr Michalis Papapetrou merged on 1 December 1996 to form the United Democrats. KED had 3.69% of the votes and won two seats in the May 1996 elections. ADISOK had 1.44% of the votes and no seats).
7. Fighting Democratic Movement (Agonistiko Dimokratiko Kinima) – ADIK
Tel.: 22765353, Fax: 22375737
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.adik.org.cy
It entered House of Representatives for the first time with 1 seat
Secured 2,16% of the votes in the May 2001 elections
President: Mr Dinos Michaelides, a founding member of the Democratic Party (DIKO) and former Vice President of that party.
Party of the centre right, founded in March 1999
It supports an independent and united Cyprus and a settlement based on UN resolutions and the EU acquis.
8. Ecological-Environmental Movement – The Cyprus Green Party
(Kinima Ekologon-Perivallontiston)
Tel: 22518787, Fax: 22512710
E- mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.cyprus-green-party.org
Entered the House of Representatives for the first time with 1 seat
Secured 1,98% of the votes in the May 2001 elections (+0,98%)
General Secretary: Giorgos Perdikis
The Movement is administered by a 11-member Political Committee and a 56-member Pancyprian Coordination Committee.
Founded in March 1996. Member of the European Federation of Green Parties
It is opposed to any geographical division of the island and the people of Cyprus based on ethnic origin or religion and supports Cyprus’ entry into the European Union. It opposes arms build-up.
9. European Democracy – EURO.DE.
(Evropaiki Dimokratia)
Presently has 1 seat in the House of Representatives.
The party secured 10,8% of the votes in the 13 June 2004 elections for the European Parliament gaining one of the six seats in the European Parliament.
President: Mr. Prodromos Prodromou
Centre right party founded in 2004 following the result of the April 24 referendum and the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.
The party supports a settlement of the Cyprus Question on the basis of European principles and in particular, the Constitution for Europe and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
