Cyprus’ newspapers today focus on the public discussion surrounding DIKO’s cooperation with the government, the decision to use artificial intelligence to identify abuses within the GeSY, and strong reactions by trade unions to Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis’ decision to change police working hours. Also prominent are calls for policies to support Cypriot youth, an incident involving Turkish soldiers and Greek Cypriot farmers in Mammari, and preparations by Cyprus to issue a bond within 2026.
Alithia places its main story under the headline “Nikolas Backs the President, the President Backs the Minister”, reporting that DIKO is raising an institutional question over whether there is an organised government stance against the party. DIKO is seeking a clear position from the President of the Republic regarding statements made by ministers. Elsewhere, the paper reports strong reactions from PASYDY, the Cyprus Police Association and ISOTITA to the Police Chief’s decision to change police working hours. In another report, Alithia writes that police are investigating a complaint against the Bishop of Karpasia, Christoforos, who is alleged to have misappropriated €110,000 from an association of which he was president.
Under the headline “AI Deployed to Detect Abuses”, Politis reports that at the beginning of the new year the Health Insurance Organisation will deploy artificial intelligence to identify abuses undermining the GeSY. The paper also reports that the Police Chief’s announcements regarding changes to police working hours have led to a clash with police trade unions. In another article, it refers to a complaint filed with the police by a Limassol-based lawyer against the Bishop of Karpasia for offences allegedly committed in 2021.
Phileleftheros headlines its main story “He Changes Shifts and Sparks Fires”, writing that the Police Chief’s decision to alter police working hours has brought him into direct confrontation with police unions. Elsewhere, the paper reports that the SAT1 strain of foot-and-mouth disease is affecting the occupied areas, threatening livestock farming and halloumi production. It also notes that despite an 18-month timetable and staff secondments, faster service to citizens by the District Local Authorities has not been achieved.
Haravgi places its main story under the headline “Standing With Youth, Against Inequalities”, reporting statements by AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou, who stressed the need for concrete policies and support for young people in Cyprus. The paper also highlights critically low water inflows into dams, publishing a related photograph. In another report, it cites Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou, who said there is no comprehensive redesign of the road network in Akamas.
The English-language Cyprus Mail leads with the headline “Turkish Soldiers Attack Farmers in Buffer Zone”, reporting on an incident in which Greek Cypriot farmers were attacked by Turkish soldiers and “police” in Mammari. The paper also highlights President Nikos Christodoulides’ statement that Cyprus is ready to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026. It further reports on a government decision to deport foreign nationals serving sentences for minor offences in Central Prisons, aiming to ease overcrowding.
The weekly Oikonomiki Kathimerini headlines its main story “Cyprus Preparing Early Market Return in 2026”, reporting that the Public Debt Management Office has already launched the necessary procedures for issuing a €1 billion bond within 2026. Elsewhere, the paper reports that Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026 and notes that major public works remain trapped in structural weaknesses within the public procurement framework.