AKEL launches strategy for 2028 presidential election

The left-wing party AKEL has officially begun preparations for the 2028 presidential elections in Cyprus, with General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou prioritizing the formation of alliances to break the party's political isolation, which has persisted since 2013. During a recent Central Committee meeting, the party approved a broad political framework aimed at securing partnerships with other opposition forces, such as ALMA and Volt. Stefanou emphasized that the primary goal is to return to power through a coherent program and collaborative efforts.

While Stefanou acknowledged having specific candidates in mind, he did not disclose names, although he specifically addressed rumors regarding economist Tasos Yiasemides and former negotiator Menelaos Menelaou. He also neither ruled out nor confirmed potential support for Andreas Mavroyiannis. Conversely, he ruled out cooperation with DIKO and criticized the DISY party. Stefanou expressed strong dissatisfaction with President Nikos Christodoulides, citing failures in the Cyprus problem negotiations and deteriorating domestic governance, including calls for the resignation of the Legal Service leadership.

Stefanou did not exclude the possibility of his own candidacy, noting that internal discussions remain fluid. The party continues its outreach to smaller political entities to build a progressive alliance, with the explicit aim of presenting a strong alternative to the current administration in 2028.