Incumbent DISY On Course For Plurality In Sunday's Election

Latest opinion polling from Cyprus shows the incumbent Democratic Rally (DISY) on course to win a plurality in the legislative election to be held this sunday, 23 May.

• CYMAR poll: DISY: 27% (-1), AKEL: 23% (-2), DIKO: 14% (+2), KOSP: 7%, ELAM: 6% (-3): EDEK/SYPOL: 6% (+1), AG: 4% (-1). +/- vs. 29 March - 9 April 2021. Fieldwork: 4 - 12 May 2021. Sample Size: 1,130
• Should the election result reflect this opinion poll it would mark a marginal decline in vote shares for both DISY and the main opposition far-left Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), with the far-right National Popular Front (ELAM) and environmentalist Movement of Ecologists — Citizens' Cooperation (KOSP) the main beneficiaries.
• This election has been marked by a general apathy from the Cypriot public, with turnout expected to be low amid focus on the pandemic and disillusionment with the island's main political forces in the wake of precious little progress on solving the long-running issue of reunification.
• Another fragmented House of Representatives (a likely prospect given expected low turnout and a record number of parties and candidates contesting the election) is likely to make it even more difficult for the gov't to pass legislation.
• Executive power in Cyprus with President Nicos Anastasiades (DISY) and his cabinet. Unlike many previous presidencies, Anastasiades has not offered ministerial positions to the centrist Democratic Party (DIKO) - often the kingmaker in Cypriot politics - instead composing his Cabinet with DISY and independent technocrat ministers.