Seven distinct political clusters - described as the seven “tribes” of Cypriot voters - now shape the country’s political landscape, according to new research presented by the Cypronetwork.
The study, titled “Cypriot Political Typology” (CPT), maps the Cypriot electorate according to citizens’ values, attitudes and beliefs rather than traditional party affiliation.
The findings were presented at the Journalists’ House in the presence of government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, party leaders and representatives, academics and journalists.
Key for policymaking
In his address, Letymbiotis stressed the importance of scientifically grounded tools in helping the state better understand the needs of society.
“Understanding the political typology of citizens is not a technical luxury for analysts and experts. It is a prerequisite for democratic resilience,” he said.
At the same time, he warned that “knowledge of society has no value if it is turned into a tool for manipulation”. Data alone, he added, does not constitute politics, but rather provides the basis for policymaking.
Letymbiotis said the true value of the Cypriot Political Typology project “will be judged by whether it is used to strengthen the relationship between politics and citizens, to make public debate more meaningful and politics more evidence-based”.
He also argued that politics should be approached “in the Platonic sense of the term”, not merely as a technique for achieving power, but as “an art of responsibility, education, truth and service to the citizen”.
Voter intelligence
Meanwhile, Cypronetwork Executive Chairman Christos Michaelides said the CPT fills a significant gap in the political research market by offering voter intelligence and strategic analysis services to political parties, media organisations and institutions.
Michaelides also expressed gratitude to the Research and Innovation Foundation for its contribution to funding the project.
According to Michaelides, the study highlights the growing fluidity of the political environment in Cyprus and the weakening of traditional party identities.
The seven political clusters
The research, based on a sample of 1,662 respondents following 2,392 interviews conducted across Cyprus, identified seven distinct political groups shaping the country’s electoral landscape.
The “Progressive Europeanists”, representing 13.6% of respondents, are described as a centre-left group with a strong pro-European orientation and support for a federal solution to the Cyprus issue.
The “National-Centric” group, accounting for 17.3%, is positioned on the right and places emphasis on national identity, security, migration control and a hard-line stance on the Cyprus issue.
The “Cyprus-Centric Socially Concerned”, making up 17.8% and forming the largest group, occupy the political centre. They are characterised by distrust towards institutions, environmental sensitivities, strong class concerns and a focus on localism.
The “Reformist Pragmatists”, at 10.7%, belong to the centre and centre-right, focusing on good governance, transparency, technocratic solutions and anti-corruption issues.
The “Anti-System Disengaged”, representing 15.4%, are described as voters with strong anger towards the political establishment who often choose abstention or unconventional political expressions.
The “Left-Wing Progressives”, accounting for 9.5%, are portrayed as an ideologically cohesive left-wing group prioritising social justice, the welfare state and the reunification of Cyprus under a bicommunal, bizonal federation, while opposing neoliberalism.
Finally, the “Developmental Neoliberals”, who represent 15.6% and are positioned on the centre-right and right, support free markets, investment, innovation and reducing bureaucracy as the main path to prosperity.
CNA
