AKEL party addresses 2028 presidential election preparations

General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, stated on October 18, 2026, that the party is on schedule regarding its preparations for the 2028 presidential elections. Addressing the AKEL Famagusta conference, Stefanou responded to claims of delay, emphasizing that there is still approximately a year and a half before the polls. He maintained that the party remains determined and optimistic about its strategy.

Stefanou clarified that the party's primary focus at this stage is to establish alliances with political forces and organized groups that seek a "progressive change" and disagree with the current government's policies. He dismissed concerns that competitors have already gained an advantage by starting their campaigns earlier. While acknowledging that the nomination process is a necessary step, he stressed that the party must first complete its internal planning and consensus-building efforts before announcing a specific candidate.

The party leader also criticized the current government and the DISY party, linking the future of the island to the resolution of the Famagusta issue. AKEL intends to continue its engagement with potential partners to solidify a platform that aims to counteract the influence of the far-right in state decision-making centers.