Cyprus Political Parties Submit Candidate Lists for June 2024 European Parliament Elections

Political parties in Cyprus have officially submitted their candidate lists for the upcoming European Parliament elections scheduled for June 9, 2024. The nomination process took place at the General Election Commissioner's office, with each party and individual candidate allocated designated time slots.

A total of 63 candidates have submitted their candidacy for the 6 seats allocated to Cyprus in the European Parliament. The majority of the candidates, 61 in total, are fielded by 10 political parties and groups, with each submitting a full list of 6 candidates. Two additional parties have submitted 1 candidate each, and there are also 2 independent candidates in the running.

Five of the incumbent Members of European Parliament (MEPs) are seeking re-election, including Giorgos Giorgiou and Niyazi Kizilyurek of AKEL, Eleni Stavrou and Loukas Fourlas of the Democratic Rally (DISY), and Costas Mavrides of the Democratic Party (DIKO). Demetris Papadakis of DIKO has chosen not to seek re-election.

The ruling party DISY presented its candidates led by party leader Annita Demetriou, who emphasized the importance of a strong DISY for a strong Cyprus in Europe. The main opposition party AKEL also announced its candidates, notably including Turkish Cypriot Niyazi Kizilyurek, who was previously elected in 2019. AKEL leader Stefanos Stefanou called for a Europe of peace, international law, and genuine solidarity.

Other parties, such as DIKO, EDEK, the Green Party, and Volt, also presented their candidates. DIKO highlighted its historical ties to Cyprus' EU accession and its membership in the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group, while EDEK aims to regain the seat they lost in 2019 and strengthen the Cypriot presence in the S&D group. The Green Party's list includes a Turkish Cypriot candidate, and the pro-European party Volt's list is headed by deputy Alexandra Attalides and Sophia Avraam, daughter of former President George Vassiliou.

Why this matters: The European Parliament elections in Cyprus are significant as they determine the country's representation in the EU's legislative body. The outcome of these elections can influence Cyprus' voice and impact on key EU policies and decisions that affect the nation and its citizens.

According to Chief Returning Officer Dr. Elikkos Elia, the submission process for the six Cypriot MEPs has been successfully completed. The candidacies include 45 men (71%) and 18 women (29%), as well as 3 Turkish Cypriot citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. A 24-hour period is granted for the submission of any objections to the candidacies. If there are no objections, all the candidates will be included on the ballot paper on June 9, 2024. Dr. Elia thanked various government agencies and the media for their cooperation in the preparation and execution of the elections, which are considered the most challenging elections ever held in the Republic of Cyprus.

Key Takeaways

• 63 candidates submitted for 6 Cyprus seats in EU Parliament elections.
• 5 incumbent MEPs seeking re-election, 1 DIKO MEP not running again.
• DISY, AKEL, DIKO, EDEK, Green Party, Volt presented candidate lists.
• Candidates include 45 men, 18 women, and 3 Turkish Cypriots.
• Elections considered most challenging ever held in Cyprus.