By Marios Ilias
- Economist
- DISY Transportation Portfolio Manager
- Member of the DISY Executive Committee
The year 2028 may still be a long way off, but politically, the discussion has already begun. The 2026 parliamentary elections created a new reality and, especially for us in the Democratic Rally, they proved something particularly important: that we can turn the tide on situations that, just a few months earlier, seemed extremely difficult to reverse. Through a major collective effort by our party, our leadership, our members, and especially our candidates, we managed to achieve a goal that seemed almost impossible to many.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
This is something we deserve to acknowledge and of which we should be proud. However, it would be a grave mistake to assume that the outcome of the parliamentary elections allows us to rest on our laurels. On the contrary, it must serve as the starting point for our next effort, because the presidential election is an entirely different contest, with different demands, a broader audience, and different political alliances.
A Strong Left That We Must Not Underestimate
In this discussion, I believe we must be honest and politically realistic. AKEL should not be underestimated. We may have—and do have—significant ideological and political differences with it, but this should not prevent us from acknowledging the facts and correctly assessing our political opponent.
AKEL has already incorporated 2028 into its political strategy, and its leadership speaks openly about creating a broader progressive bloc and a majority social movement. This is an effort that is not limited to the party’s traditional electoral base but seeks to create broader political and social convergence with an eye toward the next presidential election.
We must view this as a political strategy and not as just another party announcement. AKEL possesses an organizational structure, historical ties with a significant portion of society, and the ability to rally support. If it also manages to broaden its appeal to citizens outside its traditional base, then it will be a particularly important factor in the 2028 election.
That is why the biggest mistake we could make after the 2026 parliamentary elections would be to assume that, just because we managed to turn a difficult situation around, the road ahead has become easier. It hasn’t. Success should give us confidence, not complacency. Especially when one of our key political opponents has already begun organizing his next major campaign.
The Eclectic Alliance Around Nikos Christodoulides
On the other side of the political equation stands Nikos Christodoulides and the forces that make up or support his government. In 2023, he managed to bring parties, public figures, and voters with different political backgrounds under the same electoral umbrella, and this proved effective at the polls.
The question for 2028 is whether this diverse alliance can endure and, above all, develop a clear and coherent political identity. What is the common political thread that connects forces and people with different starting points and differing positions on key issues? The answer does not need to be given today. It will emerge through the government’s work over the next five years and, ultimately, will be evaluated by the citizens themselves.
For us in the Democratic Alarm, however, I believe there is a pitfall we must avoid. We must not build our strategy for 2028 solely as a reaction—neither to AKEL nor to Nicos Christodoulides. Our path must be based first and foremost on our own political vision and on what we want to represent for Cyprus in the coming decade.
Before addressing “who,” let’s answer “what”
The discussion about the presidential election very easily turns into a discussion of names: who is interested, who can unite different factions, and who could be a candidate. I believe that for us, this discussion, at this stage, is not the most important one. Before we discuss “who,” we must first answer “what.”
We must define what we want the Democratic Alarm to stand for in the coming decade and what our vision is for Cyprus in 2030 and 2035. What do we say to young people who are working but struggling to buy their own home? How do we support the middle class, young families, workers, the self-employed, and small and medium-sized businesses? What is our plan for energy and electricity costs, development, education, security, immigration, and the digital transformation of the state? And, above all, what is our strategy regarding the Cyprus issue?
This, in my opinion, is the substantive discussion that must take place first. Because the candidate who ultimately represents the party must not merely be a name or a figure with personal charisma. They must represent a specific political plan, one that has been previously discussed with the public and can appeal far beyond the traditional boundaries of the Democratic Alarm.
Let 2026 be a starting point, not a destination
The parliamentary elections taught us a valuable lesson. When our party mobilizes, when its leaders and candidates are truly embedded in society, when we listen to citizens and incorporate their concerns into our political platform, we can turn even the most challenging situations around. It is precisely this momentum that we must maintain, without, however, assuming that the work is done.
The 2026 result must be a starting point, not a destination. We need to reconnect with people who have drifted away from DISY, open our party even further to the younger generation, and listen more closely to the middle class, those in the real economy, and young families. Above all, we need to turn what we hear into concrete, actionable policies that will improve daily life and create a vision for the country.
The Democratic Alarm does not need to lose its identity to broaden its social base once again. It needs to articulate, in a contemporary way, the principles of a European, reformist, and responsible political movement that can combine economic growth with social cohesion, fiscal responsibility with social sensitivity, and a European orientation with a concrete national plan for Cyprus.
AKEL is preparing for 2028. The Christodoulides government will then be judged by the work and results of its five-year term. The Democratic Alarm has time and the opportunity ahead to build its own comprehensive proposal. Therefore, there is no need to begin a protracted discussion about individuals right now. What is needed first is a political vision, a platform, and meaningful engagement with society—and, when the time is right, the person who can convincingly articulate that vision.
In 2026, we proved that we can turn difficult circumstances around. The challenge now is even greater: for us to shape the circumstances of 2028.
