Nicosia, Cyprus. Diko has “no red lines” regarding potential collaboration to nominate a House president after this month’s parliamentary election, party leader Nicholas Papadopoulos said on Friday.
No exclusions on post-election cooperation
Papadopoulos told the Cyprus News Agency that the outcome for the House president’s role could not be predicted because party positions in the next parliament are not yet known. He added that Diko has not excluded any party.
First act of new parliament and voting rules
Electing a House president will be the first act of the new parliament when it convenes after the election, with MPs voting among themselves to choose a new president. Under simplified rules, a candidate must secure an absolute majority of 29 of 56 MPs in the first round, while a second-round runoff between the top vote-getters would require a simple majority.
Previous House president and shifting parliamentary landscape
Disy’s Annita Demetriou served as House president during the last parliament, taking office in 2021 as the first woman to hold the position. She won support at the time from her party, Dipa, and Elam.
Polling outlook and potential influence in a fragmented parliament
Current polling suggests Diko is on course for its worst parliamentary electoral result in its 50-year history, potentially winning five seats compared with nine in the previous election. Despite this, its votes could be important in electing a House president, with as many as seven parties expected to enter parliament and the traditional “big two” parties projected to post historically underwhelming results.
New parties and Elam projected to rise
Recent polls indicate Disy, Akel, and Diko may lose ground to newer parties, including social media influencer Fidias Panayiotou’s Direct Democracy Cyprus and former auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides’ Alma, both formed last year and currently polling higher than Diko. Polling also suggests a historic high in votes and seats for Elam, forecast to finish third behind Disy and Akel.
Papadopoulos on election choices
Papadopoulos said he believes the election presents a choice between “irresponsibility and populism” and “seriousness and responsibility”.
Which parties do you think will be able to form a majority to elect the next House president?
