Cyprus - Political parties



The four principal political parties of the Greek community in 2001 were the Progressive Party of the Working People (Anorthotikon Komma Ergazomenou Laou—AKEL), a pro-Communist group; the right-wing Democratic Rally (Demokratikos Synagermos—DISY); the center-right Democratic Party (Demokratiko Komma—DIKO); and the Socialist Party, or Social Democrats Movement (Kinima Sosialdimokraton—KISOS, formerly Eniea Demokratiki Enosi Kyprou or EDEK). Party representation in the House and percentages of the popular vote won by the parties in the elections of 27 May 2001 were AKEL, 20 seats (34.7%); DISY, 19 seats (34%); DIKO, 9 seats (14.8%); KISOS, 4 seats (6.5%); and other parties, 4 seats (9.9%). The Orthodox Church of Cyprus also exercises substantial political influence.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus held elections for a 50-seat Legislative Assembly on 6 December 1998. The right-wing National Unity Party won 24 seats (40.3% of the vote); the Democratic Party, 13 seats (22.6%); the Communal Liberation Party, 7 seats (15.4%), and the Republican Turkish Party, 6 seats (13.4%). Other minor parties won the remaining 8.3% of the popular vote.

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