Political parties are bracing for a challenging electoral competition in Nicosia as the potential reduction of parliamentary seats from 20 to 19 threatens to reshape the capital’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.
The fluid political environment, combined with demanding urban voters and declining poll numbers for established parties, has created an increasingly unpredictable scenario for the parliamentary elections in Nicosia. Internal party competition for candidate positions is high, as opinion polls show shrinking percentages for established parties and a preference towards new political formations such as Alma and Volt.
Electoral system changes could reshape party representation dynamics
In the 2021 parliamentary elections, current parties achieved the following results in Nicosia: DISY secured 31,163 votes (25.47%), AKEL obtained 25,770 votes (21.06%), DIKO received 13,449 votes (10.99%), EDEK earned 9,061 votes (7.40%), the Ecologists gained 8,386 votes (6.85%), DIPA collected 8,232 votes (6.73%), and ELAM captured 7,486 votes (6.12%).
Despite receiving the highest number of votes, DISY secured one fewer seat than AKEL due to the electoral system’s second and third distribution mechanisms. The 2021 elections recorded 122,347 valid votes in Nicosia, divided by 20 available seats, resulting in an electoral quota of 6,117 votes for first distribution.
If seats reduce to 19, the electoral quota would increase to 6,438 votes based on 2021 figures. This change would see DISY secure four rather than five seats in the first distribution, with the remainder transferred to subsequent distributions. AKEL would maintain four first-distribution seats but with a significantly smaller remainder for secondary allocation.
The alteration fundamentally changes dynamics in second and third distributions, particularly as parties achieving 7.2% or higher can participate in third distribution. Previously, only DISY, AKEL and DIKO participated, but European election results suggest ELAM may qualify, potentially joined by Alma.
Current MPs face unprecedented competition from new candidates
The current Nicosia seats are held by: DISY’s Averof Neophytou, Nikos Tornaritis, Charis Georgiades, Demetris Demetriou and Savia Orphanidou; AKEL’s Stefanos Stefanou, Andros Kyprianou, Giorgos Loukaides, Aristos Damianou, Irene Charalambidou and Christos Christofides; DIKO’s Nikolas Papadopoulos, Christiana Erotokritou and Chrisis Pantelides; DIPA’s Marinos Mousiouttas and Alekos Tryfonides; ELAM’s Christos Christou; the Ecologists’ Charalambos Theopemptou; and independent Kostis Efstathiou (formerly EDEK) and Alexandra Attalides (formerly Ecologists, now Volt).
Within DISY, only Demetris Demetriou and Savia Orphanidou are seeking re-election following three departures. The province may hold internal party elections given interest from former Anastasiades government ministers, local authority figures, political bureau members and successful professionals.
AKEL faces particularly intense internal competition with Andros Kyprianou and Irene Charalambidou departing. General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou seeks re-election without preference votes, whilst Christos Christofides’ re-candidacy appears certain. Questions remain over Loukaides and Damianou’s participation, with potential exclusion from the Secretariat allowing their candidacy alongside figures like Charis Polykarpou.
DIKO expects all three current MPs to seek re-election, with President Nikolas Papadopoulos exempt from preference vote requirements. Christiana Erotokritou and Chrisis Pantelides will compete alongside other figures including General Secretary Giorgos Solomou.
ELAM, seeking additional seats, will field Christos Christou without preference votes amid reports of intense internal competition. Announced candidates include Papacharalambous and Marios Pelekanos.
DIPA expects both current MPs to seek re-election, whilst the Ecologists lose Charalambos Theopemptou. Alexandra Attalides will contest with Volt, which is preparing a particularly competitive Nicosia slate. EDEK anticipates candidacies from deputy president Morfakis Solonomides and Political Bureau member Marios Channides.
Former Auditor General and Alma movement leader Odysseas Michailides will contest in the capital once procedures are complete, with questions remaining over his supporting candidates.
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