A recent statement from the Alma Movement, led by former Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides, condemning the situation in Gaza as genocide and criticising the Nicos Christodoulides government’s foreign policy, has highlighted a clear political identity that could pave the way for a future alignment with the left-wing AKEL (Progressive Party of Working People).
While the political equation between Michaelides and AKEL is complex, especially with both sides expected to compete for overlapping electoral audiences in upcoming parliamentary elections, this does not rule out future cooperation. Such collaboration could begin with the Speakership of Parliament, extend to parliamentary action, and potentially culminate in the 2028 presidential elections.
This scenario is not mere speculation but a matter of serious political deliberation within AKEL circles, where there is growing pressure from the left-wing base for convergence with the former Auditor General.
Five Pillars for a Potential AKEL-Alma Alliance
Left-wing factions believe that Odysseas Michaelides’ broad appeal could make him a formidable presidential candidate, capable of challenging the dominance of right-wing governments and bringing AKEL out of its isolation. A basis for political alignment between Alma and AKEL appears to be forming around five key axes:
Combating Corruption: This is at the core of Michaelides’ political discourse and a priority for AKEL.
Cyprus Problem Stance: Michaelides’ declared support for a Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation (BBF), based on UN resolutions, aligns with AKEL’s established position.
Social Policy: Michaelides’ public appearances have outlined his positions on social issues, such as same-sex marriage and adoption, which are consistent with AKEL’s progressive agenda.
Gaza Stance: The Alma Movement’s labelling of the situation in Gaza as “genocide” indicates an ideological alignment with the rhetoric of the Left.
Economy-Social Policy: Michaelides’ stated economic policies, as articulated during Alma’s launch, show significant convergence with AKEL’s approaches. “We resist unfair market speculation and oligopolies, dishonest entrepreneurship, and the reproduction and expansion of social inequalities,” Michaelides had declared.
Significantly, AKEL has avoided public confrontation with Odysseas Michaelides regarding his recent positions and statements. Instead, it has often joined him in criticising the Christodoulides government. All these factors create a potentially favourable framework for political cooperation between the two sides, simultaneously outlining the formation of a new political landscape.
DISY and DIKO Dynamics Reshape Political Centre
The stance of DIKO (Democratic Party) towards Odysseas Michaelides appears to have shifted speculation for a presidential cooperation from the centre-right towards the left. DIKO has publicly responded to Michaelides’ statements twice, and party officials, such as MP Christos Pantelides, have explicitly ruled out any cooperation with Michaelides and AKEL. In a recent interview, Pantelides stated that if DIKO seeks cooperation beyond the centre, it would be with DISY (Democratic Rally), thus excluding any approach to Alma or the Left.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, a scenario of DISY-DIKO cooperation for the Speakership of Parliament is being discussed, with open support for Nikolas Papadopoulos and a potential reciprocal endorsement for Annita Demetriou in the presidential elections.
From Michaelides’ perspective, political collaborations are a logical pursuit, as he openly called for dialogue and cooperation with all democratic parties during the launch of the Alma Movement. However, the current political landscape limits his options. Cooperation with DISY does not seem feasible, and he is already in direct confrontation with DIKO. Therefore, among the three largest traditional parties, AKEL appears to be the sole force with which a prospect of convergence and cooperation could be built at this juncture.
AKEL’s Electoral Challenges and Internal Debates
The fluidity of the political scene makes the upcoming parliamentary elections more challenging for AKEL. Michaelides’ Alma Movement is exerting pressure on the left-wing party, regardless of any future cooperation, by vying for votes from shared audiences. Additionally, the Volt party appears to be attracting a portion of the so-called progressive electorate that could otherwise have been potential AKEL votes. The leadership’s strategic goal is to maintain the party’s percentages, leveraging factors such as stable internal party approval and the general popularity of Secretary-General Stefanos Stefanou. The absence of infighting or open dissent is seen as a positive factor ahead of the electoral contest.
However, challenges persist. As in other European countries, left-wing parties face difficulties on issues such as migration. This issue is prone to political exploitation by far-right parties, which often fuel fear and distort left-wing positions. “AKEL does not advocate for open borders, but neither can we tolerate pushbacks,” a party official noted.
The issue of exceptions regarding the party’s parliamentary candidacies remains open. Under the new statute, no one can be a candidate after completing two total terms. However, for the upcoming elections, the older provision of three consecutive terms will transitionally apply. The Central Committee retains the right to exempt up to 15% of the outgoing parliamentary group – excluding the Secretary-General – provided a 60% majority is secured through a secret ballot. Based on the current parliamentary strength, two individuals could be exempted. Giorgos Loukaides, Aristos Damianou, Costas Costa, Irene Charalambides, and Andros Kyprianou are completing three terms. The discussion on exemptions primarily focuses on the first two, as they are also members of the Secretariat. Although there was a thought not to have any exemptions, the prevailing scenario is to allow them to continue.
The case of Irene Charalambides remains unresolved. As she is not an organic member of the party, her future political utilisation remains unclear. Information suggests that the AKEL Secretary-General will invite her for a meeting in the coming days to explore alternative cooperation scenarios, as there appears to be a specific proposal for her. Her reaction remains unknown. A similar initiative is expected towards Costas Costa, who has resigned from the Central Committee.
