Cyprus parliamentary elections result in a shift toward the political right

The parliamentary elections held on May 24 in Cyprus resulted in a strengthened position for right-wing and center-right parties. The Democratic Rally (DISY), ELAM, and the Democratic Party (DIKO) collectively hold 33 out of 56 seats in the House of Representatives, an increase from their previous 30 seats. Analysts note that this constitutes the most right-leaning parliament since 1976, while smaller parties like the Greens and EDEK failed to retain their representation. Despite pre-election polls suggesting a potential political upheaval, traditional party mechanisms remained effective in securing the vote. Political commentators highlighted that the Cypriot issue was largely absent from the campaign, which focused heavily on internal economic issues and corruption allegations. There is speculation regarding potential legislative cooperation between DISY and DIKO, which could influence the 2028 presidential election landscape. The participation of displaced voters from occupied areas continues to symbolize the Republic's non-recognition of current demographic changes in the north.