Political rift in Cyprus over Great Sea Interconnector project

A significant political disagreement has emerged in Cyprus between Finance Minister Makis Keravnos and Diko leader Nicolas Papadopoulos regarding the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project. The tension escalated on September 20, 2026, when Papadopoulos publicly suggested that Keravnos should resign due to his persistent reservations about the project, which aims to link the energy grids of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Papadopoulos argued that the project is geostrategically vital and criticized the finance minister for failing to provide data to support his opposition.

Keravnos has consistently labeled the GSI as financially unviable, citing studies from the Cyprus energy regulator and a US due diligence firm. Despite President Nikos Christodoulides confirming the government's intent to proceed, Keravnos remains skeptical about its costs and impact on public finances. The government’s commitment is currently conditional on Greece issuing a Navtex for seabed surveys. Once issued, Cyprus is expected to fulfill its overdue financial obligation of €25 million to the Greek government.

Following the call for his resignation, Keravnos dismissed the criticism as political nonsense, emphasizing that he is focused on the country's national interests. The row has drawn attention from opposition parties like Disy, while the project remains in a state of high-level government negotiation regarding funding and implementation timelines.