Cyprus Election: Conservative DISY Leads in First Exit Polls as New Parliament Takes Shape

A Crowded Ballot

The election was widely seen as a crucial test of public sentiment before the 2028 presidential ballot. President Nikos Christodoulidis, a conservative who took office in 2023, governs without a party mandate and depends on shifting parliamentary alliances.

DISY, which emerged as the largest force in the previous 2021 election, was again the front-runner, with exit polls projecting between 22.5 and 25.5 percent of the vote. The left-wing Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) was close behind, polling at 21 to 24 percent.

Several smaller parties and new groupings added to the uncertainty. Among them was the far-right National Popular Front (ELAM), which has gained traction amid rising anti-immigration sentiment and was seen polling around 14 percent in pre-election surveys.

Old Parties, New Challengers

A new party founded by a populist YouTuber and political outsider, who won a seat in the European Parliament as an independent in 2024, also drew attention and could capture a share of the protest vote.

The campaign focused heavily on pocketbook issues. Soaring living costs, housing affordability and economic recovery dominated debates, with migration, cronyism and corruption also featuring prominently.

The decades-old division of the island, occupied by Turkish troops in the north since 1974, played a smaller role than in previous elections, as voters prioritised social and economic concerns.

Dominant Campaign Issues

Despite its diminished salience, the unresolved partition and the presence of a buffer zone patrolled by United Nations peacekeepers remain a defining feature of Cypriot politics.

RIK published the first projections based on voter surveys immediately after the polls closed. These are not yet official results but give an early indication of the balance of power in the next parliament.

With DISY and AKEL capturing roughly 45 to 50 percent of the vote combined, the remainder will be split among a diverse array of smaller groups, making coalition-building or confidence-and-supply agreements likely.

First Projections

The 3.6 percent threshold means that even parties with relatively modest support can gain representation, further complicating the formation of a stable majority.

Political analysts described the outcome as a reflection of a volatile electorate, with traditional parties under pressure from insurgent forces on both the far right and the anti-establishment flank.

The results are expected to shape President Christodoulidis's room for manoeuvre as he seeks to push through reforms and navigate complex regional diplomacy.

What Comes Next

An official preliminary result is anticipated by midday on Monday, with the full distribution of seats in the House of Representatives becoming clear once all ballots are counted.

The election reaffirmed Cyprus's role as a stable democracy in a turbulent region, with voters turning out peacefully to express their preferences at the ballot box.