ALMA party leader Odysseas Michaelides sets criteria for 2026 presidential election support

On September 8, 2026, Odysseas Michaelides, leader of the ALMA movement, announced that the party will not support any candidate associated with traditional political parties in the upcoming 2026 presidential elections. Speaking on the Sigma television program 'Mera Mesimeri', Michaelides emphasized that any candidate supported by ALMA must align with the movement's core mission of deep institutional reform. He explicitly ruled out backing individuals emerging from 'party kitchens' or those who would implement policies directed by other political organizations, describing such options as fundamentally unacceptable to the movement.

Following these statements, reports surfaced on September 9 suggesting that Andreas Mavroyiannis is an unlikely candidate for ALMA’s endorsement. Although Mavroyiannis is expected to announce his candidacy by the end of the year, sources within ALMA view his public pursuit of AKEL’s support as incompatible with their requirement for true independence. The movement is currently searching for a candidate capable of acting as an independent force while potentially building broader alliances, though they maintain that there is no immediate pressure to finalize a decision. The party is prioritizing a genuine reformer over political expediency as they navigate the pre-election landscape.