Narrow Victory for Main Opposition Party DISY AT Parliamentary Elections

The 2011 Cypriot legislative election, held on May 22, 2011, was an important event in Cyprus' political landscape. Voters went to the polls to elect 56 members of the House of Representatives. The political environment was tense, with the country facing economic difficulties, ongoing negotiations about reunification, and a public increasingly frustrated with political elites. The election saw a tight race between the two major parties: the right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) and the left-wing Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL). DISY, led by Nicos Anastasiades, gained 34.3% of the vote, translating to 20 seats in the legislature, while AKEL, led by Andros Kyprianou, won 32.7% of the vote, securing 19 seats. The centrist Democratic Party (DIKO) won 9 seats, while smaller parties such as the Movement for Social Democracy (EDEK) and the European Party (EVROKO) also managed to gain representation. This election was notable for its voter turnout of 78.7%, which, while high by international standards, was the lowest turnout in the history of Cyprus's legislative elections at that time, reflecting growing voter disillusionment. Economic hardship, high unemployment rates, and concerns over the country's future in the European Union played a significant role in shaping the electoral discourse. Additionally, the ongoing issue of the island's division between the Greek Cypriot south and the Turkish Cypriot north remained a key concern. The results solidified DISY's position as the dominant force in Cypriot politics, while the election also revealed the waning influence of DIKO, which had previously been a kingmaker in Cypriot politics. The election marked a critical moment of political change, paving the way for future elections and influencing Cyprus’s political direction, particularly in the context of future economic reforms and reunification efforts. #MoofLife #MomentsOfLife #CypriotPolitics #LegislativeElection #2011Election #PoliticalChange #DISY #AKEL #Cyprus