Prominent figures with strong appeal in the Left and the broader progressive space are being mentioned as possible candidates on AKEL’s ballots across the electoral districts. The list will expand once the internal discussion on parliamentary elections formally begins, with a clearer picture expected by the end of September, when consultations with grassroots groups start.
Nicosia
In the Nicosia district, AKEL currently holds 6 out of 20 seats and is preparing for a tough battle to avoid losing ground. Among the six sitting MPs, Stefanos Stefanou and Christos Christofides will seek re-election. Aristos Damianou and George Loukaides will complete their third term in 2026 but remain eligible for one additional term if the Central Committee allows it. Andros Kyprianou and Irene Charalambidou will not run again, opening space for new faces in the parliamentary group.
According to Politis sources, economist Charis Polykarpou, head of AKEL’s Economy Department, is expected to run with strong prospects. His expertise in economic matters makes him a valuable asset for the party’s new parliamentary team. He was recently re-elected to the Political Bureau and elected for the first time to the Central Secretariat. Another question mark is Central Committee member Marina Savva, originally from Limassol, as it is still undecided in which district she will run. Savva is a prominent party figure with a strong media presence.
Limassol
In Limassol, which has 12 parliamentary seats, AKEL holds 3. Of the current MPs, only Marina Nicolaou will run again. MPs Kostas Kostas and Andreas Kafkalias are completing their term limits. The party secretary-general has clarified that Kostas Kostas cannot run for an additional term, as he is not part of the party’s core political leadership as required by the statutes. According to Politis sources, Kafkalias will also not seek another term, leaving two seats vacant.
Potential candidates being mentioned include lawyers and Central Committee members Argentoula Ioannou and Fotini Michailidou Christou, Social Alliance spokesperson Melani Steliou, and municipal councillor Apostolos Psaras.
Famagusta
Famagusta district holds 11 parliamentary seats, with AKEL currently holding 3. All three sitting MPs; George Koukoumas, Nikos Kettirou and Yiannakis Gavriel, are expected to run again. The intentions of Famagusta deputy mayor Chrysanthos Zannetou remain unclear. He is no longer district secretary, which under the new statutes means he is eligible to run for parliament. The name of Central Committee member Athena Zaoura is also being heard, as she comes from a family with deep roots in AKEL. It also remains uncertain whether Anna Theologou will be included. She ranked second among AKEL’s six candidates in the European elections, although Politis sources suggest she may relocate to Luxembourg for family reasons.
Larnaca
Larnaca has 6 seats, with AKEL holding 1. MP Andreas Pasiourtides will run again, while the name of former footballer Panikkos Xiourouppas, a member of the Social Alliance, is also being mentioned.
Paphos
Paphos, which has 4 seats, is drawing particular interest. AKEL holds 1 seat, currently held by MP Valentinos Fakontis, who will run again. However, the name of teacher George Yiallouris is also in play. According to Politis sources, Yiallouris, a former AKEL district secretary in Paphos, is seriously considering running and has begun sounding out potential supporters. Municipal councillor Kostas Diplouros and Maria Nicolaou, a member of the district party organisation and of POGO Paphos, are also being mentioned.
Kyrenia
Kyrenia, with 3 parliamentary seats, is represented by AKEL with one MP, Christos Christofias. As secretary of the Nicosia–Kyrenia district committee, he is not eligible to run again under the party’s new statutes. However, the name of lawyer Alexia Kountouri is being strongly discussed as a possible candidate.