Nicosia mayors withdraw from Cyprus Forum following political controversy

Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos and the Turkish Cypriot ‘mayor’ of the northern part of the city, Mehmet Harmanci, have withdrawn from the upcoming Cyprus Forum. The decision follows a public row triggered by the far-right ELAM party, which demanded the cancellation of Harmanci’s invitation. The controversy began when organizers listed a title for Harmanci on the conference’s draft agenda that was deemed unacceptable by the Greek Cypriot side. Although organizers later amended the designation, Harmanci sent a formal letter of withdrawal, prompting Prountzos to step down shortly after as a gesture of solidarity.

Organizers issued a public apology for the disruption, expressing regret for the impact on bicommunal cooperation. The Cyprus Forum, a non-profit platform promoting public policy and dialogue, emphasized that the two leaders had participated in previous years to foster cross-community cooperation. Despite the organizers’ attempts to maintain an open dialogue, the current tension caused by external political pressure has derailed their planned joint appearance. There are no reports of further developments or rescheduling, though the event remains under scrutiny following the organizers' public statement regarding the incident.