christodoulides re-election — christodoulides re-election — President Nikos Christodoulides is likely to run for re-election in 2028, according to a statement from one of his top aides on Tuesday. Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou shared insights into the president’s future plans following the recent legislative elections.
In an interview on the Sigma channel, Antoniou commented on the growing speculation regarding the 2028 presidential race. He stated that it “makes sense” for Christodoulides to consider another campaign. While he could not confirm the president’s intentions, he expressed that it is “likely” Christodoulides will seek a second term.
Antoniou mentioned that the decision will be made by the end of the first half of 2027, allowing time for the political landscape to evolve. He noted, however, that the outcome of the recent legislative elections should not be viewed as a definitive indicator of Christodoulides’ standing. The dynamics of potential alliances and opposing candidates will play a significant role in shaping the 2028 election.
He dismissed concerns that the results of the parliamentary elections, particularly the poor performance of Dipa and Edek—both of which supported Christodoulides in 2023—signalled a weakening of the president’s position. Antoniou pointed out that many had underestimated Christodoulides’ chances during the 2021 legislative elections, which ultimately led to his presidential victory in 2023.
Antoniou also urged the Disy party to clarify its role in the parliament leading up to the next election, questioning whether it would act as an opposition party. He rejected the notion that the government would struggle to push its agenda through parliament over the next two years, emphasising that few presidents in the Republic’s history have enjoyed a clear majority.
Notably, Christodoulides is currently without a party affiliation, having been ejected from Disy on the same day he formally declared his candidacy for president on January 5, 2023. His departure came amid speculation about his presidential ambitions, which Disy officials felt was a betrayal of the party.
Previously a long-time member of Disy, Christodoulides served as government spokesperson from 2014 to 2018 and later as foreign minister until his resignation in January 2022. Running as an independent candidate in the 2023 elections, he secured 51.97% of the vote, defeating Andreas Mavroyiannis in a runoff.
His victory in 2023 was bolstered by endorsements from various parties, including Diko, Edek, Dipa, Solidarity, the Hunters, and the Animal Party Cyprus. A significant factor in his success was his ability to split the Disy vote, demonstrating his complex relationship with the party he once represented.
