Akel seeks united progressive effort for 2028 presidential election

Nicosia, Cyprus. Akel secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou said on Wednesday that the party’s main objective for the 2028 presidential election was “progressive change” through a united effort. He said cooperation should be built around a shared progressive programme and lead to electoral victory.

Cooperation and the left’s role

Addressing the presentation in Nicosia of the book “Studies on the History of the Left in Cyprus”, Stefanou said Akel’s capacity to develop a political agenda serving wider objectives provided the practical foundation for alliances.

He said experience had demonstrated the substantial challenges and dilemmas confronting a government of the left in a world where big capital dominated institutions, policies and power.

Stefanou also argued that the left needed to respond to society’s needs, steadfastly uphold the interests of workers, defend democracy, peace and other universal values, and unite forces to turn demands into collective action.

Historical alliances and participation in government

Reviewing Akel’s earlier alliances, Stefanou cited the United Front of Workers and Employees of Limassol in 1943 and the National Liberation Coalition, active between 1948 and 1953.

He identified 1962 as the starting point for the party’s relationship with power, recalling that its 10th Congress had resolved to offer critical support to Archbishop Makarios. Akel neither sought a government role nor imposed conditions other than safeguarding Cypriot independence, he said.

According to Stefanou, the party subsequently required agreement on a governing programme before supporting any candidate. He cited the Minimum Programme of 1983, which underpinned support for Spyros Kyprianou, and a further agreement in 1988 backing Giorgos Vassiliou.

He said Akel later moved into participation in a governing coalition, with party cadres taking roles in Tassos Papadopoulos’s government.