Cabinet appoints new board for Cyprus Youth Organization amid controversy

On September 10, 2026, the Cypriot Council of Ministers appointed a new Board of Directors for the Cyprus Youth Organization (ONEK). The board now includes President Pampos Christodoulou, Vice President Thanos Christodoulou, and members Zafiro Kastanou, Stavros Sotiriou, and Iakovos Iakovou, while Alexandros Gerolatsiitis and Fotis Trimbakkiros remain in their positions.

The appointment of Zafiro Kastanou, a former DISY member who recently ran as a parliamentary candidate for ELAM in the Famagusta district, has triggered significant backlash. EDON, the United Democratic Youth Organization, criticized the government for this choice, arguing that it contradicts the organization's mission to promote democracy, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. The appointments follow a period of operational paralysis caused by the resignation of three previous board members.

Kastanou’s political background is noteworthy, as she was elected to the Agia Napa School Board in 2024 under the DISY banner, securing 1,616 votes before transitioning to ELAM. While EDON welcomed the resolution of the administrative deadlock, it maintains that the appointment of an ELAM representative undermines the bicommunal character of the organization.