AKEL outlines presidential election strategy for 2028

General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, announced the party's strategy for the 2028 presidential elections during the Famagusta district conference on October 18, 2026. Rejecting claims that the party is lagging behind, Stefanou emphasized that there is still approximately a year and a half left before the vote. He stated that the party's primary focus is building a progressive alliance and establishing a common programmatic basis with other political forces and organized groups, rather than rushing to name a candidate.

Regarding potential candidates, Stefanou denied reports of contact with economist Tassos Yiasemides, clarifying he had only seen him in photographs. He explicitly stated that he does not rule out the possibility of his own candidacy, describing it as an option within the party's scope. The internal party process involves base-level discussions, with final candidate decisions expected in the first quarter of 2027. AKEL’s approach stands in contrast to the internal turmoil currently facing the center-right party DISY, which is navigating its own nomination process amid the withdrawal of leader Annita Demetriou.