Michalis Poleos appointed first community leader of occupied Kato Deryneia

On October 2, 2026, the Republic of Cyprus officially announced the appointment of Michalis Poleos as the first community leader of the occupied community of Kato Deryneia. Published in the Official Gazette, this administrative decision aims to enhance the visibility, autonomy, and institutional recognition of the occupied territory as a distinct administrative entity within the state framework.

The appointment serves as a significant symbolic and institutional move for displaced residents. Following the announcement, Poleos discussed the deep personal connection he maintains with his ancestral home in Kato Deryneia. He notably transferred the original front door of his ruined family house, which belonged to his late parents Fanou and Giorgos Poleos, to his current residence in free Deryneia with the help of a local resident named Takis. This act serves as a personal connection to his roots and the community's history under occupation.

While the appointment represents a formal administrative step for the Republic of Cyprus regarding its occupied territories, no further legislative or territorial developments were mentioned. The move remains a gesture of maintaining institutional presence and continuity for displaced communities.