Political tensions rise in Cyprus over potential cooperation with ELAM

AKEL spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas has publicly accused the leaderships of DISY and DIKO of facilitating the rise of the far-right party ELAM. Koukoumas claims that recent interviews by Annita Dimitriou of DISY and Chrysis Pantelidis of DIKO opened the door to official cooperation with ELAM regarding the presidency of the House of Representatives and potentially the 2028 presidential elections. AKEL characterizes ELAM as a neo-Nazi organization and suggests that mainstream parties are using it as a political tool. In response, DISY spokesperson Onouphrios Koullas rejected these claims, accusing AKEL of using disinformation tactics and labeling the allegations as political mudslinging. ELAM has also issued a statement denying these claims, asserting that it acts independently and that it is AKEL that is obsessed with their growth. The debate highlights the intense political maneuvering ahead of the May 24th period, as parties prepare for upcoming elections and seek to define their alliances. The controversy centers on the moral and political implications of integrating a far-right movement into mainstream legislative or government decision-making processes.