Nicosia, Cyprus. Discussion over Volt’s electoral defeat and the party’s future direction began on Wednesday following meetings of its collective bodies, with former MP Alexandra Attalides saying the new House is expected to function with “a more conservative agenda”.
Electoral result
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Attalides said the party’s message “clearly did not get through” despite what she described as strong support from parts of the electorate. Volt failed to win a seat in the House and received 3.1 per cent of the vote.
Internal discussions
Attalides said there had been significant pressure in recent days from the mechanisms of the major parties and that, as a new party, Volt had lacked the mechanisms to respond. She said discussions had already begun within the party leadership and would continue with candidates before decisions are announced on Volt’s next steps.
Political direction
She said party members believe Volt “must find the strength, the stamina, the means to continue to make its voice heard”.
Attalides added that she believes political priorities are shifting and that legislation achieved with great effort may now remain “in the drawers for another five years”.
Concern over discourse
She also expressed concern about what she described as a shift to the right in political discourse. “The agenda is becoming more conservative,” Attalides said. “It is a great shame that a European country is choosing to give in to the fear that Elam has cultivated so well.”
