Nationwide protest against electricity prices planned in Nicosia

A nationwide protest against the high cost of electricity is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Nicosia. The demonstration is organized by the Direct Democracy movement, led by Member of the European Parliament Fidias Panayiotou. Participants are set to gather at 16:00 at Eleftherias Square before marching to the Presidential Palace to demand concrete measures to lower energy bills for households and businesses.

The protest has garnered significant political support, with the AKEL party, the Ecologists Movement - Citizens' Cooperation, and the Animal Party of Cyprus officially backing the mobilization. Organizers have arranged for free bus transportation from various cities to encourage high attendance, noting that Fidias Panayiotou expressed that a low turnout would be considered disappointing. The coalition argues that high energy costs are unsustainable in a country with abundant sunlight, stressing that the issue transcends party lines.

Public concern regarding rising energy prices has intensified recently, prompting various proposals from political actors, including AKEL’s suggestion to permanently reduce VAT on electricity to 5% and expand social tariffs. The organizers aim to pressure the government into implementing reforms to make electricity more affordable for the public.