Beyond the electoral aspect, the result of May 24 is first and foremost a pivotal political victory for the Left and the broader progressive movement in Cyprus, said AKEL Secretary-General, Stefanos Stefanou, speaking on Saturday before the Plenary Session of AKEL’s Central Committee in Nicosia on the topic of “Assessment of the 2026 Parliamentary Elections.”

In his opening remarks, Mr. Stefanou noted that AKEL succeeded in achieving its electoral goal, strengthening its ties with society, and looking optimistically toward its future, and added that in the recent elections, AKEL had the highest voter turnout of all parties —over 80%—while in all opinion polls since the start of the election campaign, the party’s voters were the most certain and determined about their vote.

He also noted that the exit poll findings showing a trend toward AKEL among first-time voters— that is, among those voting for the first time in parliamentary elections, while AKEL showed a strong upward trend among voters under the age of 30.

“We have confirmed that in Cyprus, the Left was, is, and will continue to be a leading force, and that within the House of Representatives there will be a strong force defending the interests of the people, the country’s progress, and the well-being of society. At the same time, a message of optimism and hope was sent internationally to the forces of the Left, which enthusiastically welcomed AKEL’s electoral success,” he added.

AKEL, said Mr. Stefanou, “will continue to fight against institutional collusion and corruption, which have skyrocketed during the Anastasiades–DISY government.”

“As for the Christodoulides government, despite its proclamations of zero tolerance for corruption, is not only failing to take action to change the situation by restoring the rule of law and our institutions, but is continuing along the same path. At least that is what we witnessed firsthand in the Videogate case, and that is what we observed from the lack of transparency surrounding the case of the President of the Republic’s wife’s fund,” he added.

He also said that AKEL will steadfastly continue its policy of zero tolerance and no contact or cooperation with the far right.

“AKEL – Left – Social Alliance will intensify its parliamentary and grassroots initiatives based on the socioeconomic agenda we put forward before the election regarding the major issues of cost of living, labor and pension issues, housing, taxation of wealth, banking arbitrariness, and more. Spearheaded by the new AKEL —the Left-Social Alliance—and together with the Central Committee’s Policy Sectors and the organizations of the People’s Movement, we will continue the pre-election campaign with post-election initiatives,”, he noted.

In light of the developments in the Cyprus issue, Mr. Stefanou said, AKEL will continue to stand consistently and resolutely by its proven correct policy and position on the solution.

“AKEL is the strong force that can stand up to attempts to dismantle the negotiating acquis or scenarios involving NATO’s involvement in the Cyprus issue. Most importantly, AKEL is the force that has the influence, the knowledge, and the will to drive developments toward a solution that will end the Turkish occupation and reunite our country and our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. To this end, and depending on how events unfold, we will take initiatives to promptly inform and mobilize society, for which a plan has already been drawn up by the Party’s Central Committee’s Cyprus Sector,” he added.

Referring to the results of the parliamentary elections, Mr. Stefanou said that the election results have confirmed not only AKEL as the strong force of the opposition, but also as a strong pole for the creation of a broad progressive front aimed at bringing about progressive change in Cyprus.

“The Plenary Session of the Party’s Central Committee is convened today to assess the results of the recent parliamentary elections held in May 2026. And of course, along with assessing the results, we will evaluate how the party and political landscape has taken shape and define the primary tasks facing the Party. The election result we achieved represents the fulfillment of the electoral goal we had set as the Party’s Central Committee at the Plenary Session on September 27, 2025. “Specifically, we managed to strengthen the Party’s electoral strength compared to the 2021 parliamentary elections, when we received 22.3%,” he added.

In last May’s elections, Mr. Stefanou continued, AKEL – Left – Social Alliance increased its electoral strength by 1.6% and 9,000 votes, reaching 24% and retaining the 15 seats it held in the previous legislative term.

He also said that the result represents a major electoral success “if we consider that the Party had to contend with the perception—which various circles have fostered in many ways among a significant portion of society—that ‘they’re all the same.’”

“This perception leads to the discrediting of political parties and politics in the minds of a segment of society, and this situation inevitably has a negative impact on our Party as well. AKEL also had to contend with a record number of participating parties and candidates. “Nevertheless, our Party managed to achieve its electoral goal, strengthen its ties with society, and look to the future with optimism,” he added.

He noted that the parliamentary elections are now history. “We celebrated the result, which admittedly sparked feelings of enthusiasm and self-confidence among our people, but we are not getting stuck in the past nor are we becoming complacent. We asked the people for a strong AKEL so that we can continue to serve our Cyprus and our people vigorously, tenaciously, and effectively. To serve workers, the younger generation, the vulnerable, and society as a whole. We have received this strong mandate, and we are continuing our work right where we never stopped,” he said.

As for progressive change, Mr. Stefanou noted that they will continue to work drawn by the momentum of their century-long history and the experience of their arduous, heroic, patriotic, and class-based struggles. “We’re moving forward with determination, looking to the future. Our 100 years of glorious history are just the beginning. Let’s turn history into the future! A future of hope. For Cyprus and our people,” he concluded.