European elections and their implications for the Cyprus issue: populist challenges and Turkish Cypriot inclusion

Abstract

One of the big surprises of the June 2024 European Parliamentary elections occurred in the Republic of Cyprus, where a 24-year-old YouTuber and social media influencer, Fidias Panayiotou, won a seat running as an independent having secured over 19 per­cent of the vote. Whereas the vast majority of polls had predicted the rise of the radi­cal right National People's Front Party (ELAM) in Cyprus along with other far-right parties in Europe, Panayiotou's victory and overall vote tally was unforeseen. His win came at the expense of the left-wing Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL), dashing the hopes for the re-election of Turkish Cypriot MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek, whose 2019 election to the European Parliament was seen as a milestone for bi-communal relations in divided Cyprus. Kızılyürek’s defeat highlights the persistent difficulties in achieving greater political integration and representation for Turkish Cypriots with­in the EU framework. This underscores the urgent need for inclusive dialogue, eco­nomic integration, and proactive measures to address Cyprus's unique challenges, aiming to foster a more cooperative and resilient future for the island. (author's abstract)