The prospect of centre-right political cooperation in Cyprus is generating discussion ahead of the parliamentary elections on May 24.
Post-election uncertainty is pushing the government and centre-right parties toward some form of collaboration, with the conservative DISY as the major player. Tensions between the two camps have already eased, with both sides emphasising shared ground on foreign affairs, security, economic governance and reforms, areas analysts describe as a natural bridge between the government and DISY, and one that has managed crises before.
DISY leader Annita Demetriou has signalled a conciliatory posture, stressing Cyprus’s western foreign policy orientation, a longstanding party position. Last week she welcomed the government’s decision to reinstate the Rent-to-Buy scheme. DISY has also avoided pointed criticism over the handling of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, despite widespread views that the Agriculture Minister bears responsibility. The Presidential Palace has kept its tone equally measured, with speculation about covert support for other parties’ candidates, or the channelling of DISY votes toward ELAM, having largely quietened.
Averting instability
Goodwill gestures on both sides do not necessarily mean a coalition government, though that scenario is no longer being ruled out, with a possible timeframe of summer or autumn, according to centre-right political circles. A looser arrangement, involving policy-by-policy coordination of the kind seen on tax reform, the budget, foreclosures and the expected pension reform, is also considered plausible.
The broader challenge is maintaining equilibrium in a post-election environment that could quickly shift into pre-campaign mode for the presidential race, while managing potential internal party turbulence depending on the result.
The election of a House Speaker, as the first political act of the new parliament, may itself be revealing. Speculation surrounds a possible cooperation between ALMA and Direct Democracy around a candidacy for Irene Charalambides, with the aim of drawing AKEL into the final round in her support. In a second scenario, the AKEL candidate attracts votes from Direct Democracy and secures a place in the final round independently. The Speaker vote could mark the first defeat for the centre-right camp and set a precedent for the presidential election.
Resistance and poll numbers
The cooperation debate has also drawn pushback. Commentary in publications and online posts reveals an opposing current actively seeking to prevent any convergence among centre-right forces, particularly around an axis linking the government with DISY’s leadership.
The latest Kathimerini Cyprus poll recorded rising government approval and improved ratings for President Christodoulides, alongside gains for both DISY and DIKO. Consolidation around those two parties could anchor centre-right cooperation with the government at its core and blunt the growth of an axis of parties comprising AKEL, ALMA, Direct Democracy and possibly Volt.
Whether DIPA and EDEK clear the parliamentary threshold will also shape the balance of power. A Cyprus problem initiative from summer or September onwards could prove the deciding factor, the key that either unlocks or locks whatever cooperation ultimately takes shape.
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