Cyprus
Cyprus performs in the mid-range in the Rule of Law and Participation categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework, and in the high-range with regard to Representation and Rights. It is among the world’s top 25 per cent of countries in most factors and is only among the bottom 25 per cent for Electoral Participation. Between 2019-2024, Cyprus declined in Social Group Equality, particularly measures of equality in respect for civil liberties, and Freedom of the Press, including harassment of journalists and media bias. Cyprus has a high-income economy with a dominant services sector, which was hard-hit by the financial crisis.
Cyprus’s current geopolitical divide stems from a 1974 coup d’état by islanders favoring union with Greece, which prompted military intervention by Türkiye. However, the growth of Turkish and Greek nationalisms—that have stymied the creation of a multi-ethnic ‘Cypriot’ identity—had originated during British colonial rule. The island country is de facto separated following Turkish Cypriots’ unilateral declaration of independence in 1983 and, today, the northern area is administered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus—recognized only by Türkiye. The Cypriot government controls the southern, Greek-speaking part of the island in practice. GSoD data only covers conditions in the southern, state-controlled area. Northern Cyprus continues to use the Turkish Lira, which has sometimes led to friction. Following the failed referendum of the Annan plan in 2004, progress on resolution talks has been stagnant despite repeated attempts to revive them.
Press freedom remains under threat from proposed amendments that watchdogs fear could enable journalist surveillance. In parallel, political participation and activism have been challenged by the dispersal of anti-corruption protests, as well as a 2024 bomb attack on a key anti-racism organization. Recent attempts to boost citizen engagement have ranged from new citizen participation platforms to electoral reforms lowering the voting age in national elections and introducing automatic voter registration. Political debate in Cyprus remains organized around the county’s ongoing intercommunal dispute. The ‘Cyprus problem’ decisively absorbs much of domestic political competition, dividing parties over support for resolution efforts. Intra-group divisions are also noteworthy, between Turkish Cypriots and Turkish immigrants over identity formation and conflict resolution preferences, and between generations in the Greek community. While Turkish Cypriots are the largest minority group, there are also substantial Maronite, Armenian, Latin and Roma communities. Cyprus struggles with surging violence against migrants and refugees, and authorities have been criticized for failing to hold attackers to account, eroding the trust of migrant communities in law enforcement. A 2024 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights set an important precedent against migrant pushback practices, both at sea and at the buffer zone with Northern Cyprus.
Cyprus is high-performing in Gender Equality. In 2023, Cyprus criminalized any conversion practices aiming to change an individual’s gender identity and prohibited advertising of conversion practices. However, international observers and domestic civil society actors have pointed to weak legal protections for victims of domestic and gender-based violence. European courts have recently found gender discrimination in the authorities’ handling of rape cases.
As voter apathy has been growing alongside wider political disengagement, impacts can be expected in Electoral Participation. Recent electoral reforms aiming to simplify the voting process and encourage broader participation should be closely monitored. It will also be important to watch rising violence and hate crimes against migrants and refugees, as well as ongoing debates regarding citizenship rights and identity for impacts on Social Group Equality. Press freedom also warrants attention, particularly potential threats to critical reporting.
Last updated: July 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
May 2025
Parliament passes major electoral reform, lowering voting age to 17
On 29 May, Parliament unanimously approved a significant electoral reform package. A key component of the reform is the lowering of the national voting age from 18 to 17, following a constitutional amendment passed on 22 May. Additional measures include the introduction of automatic voter registration and the replacement of the electoral booklet system with more flexible identification options, such as national ID cards and drivers’ licenses. The reforms also include provisions to improve voting accessibility for people with disabilities. Overall, these changes aim to simplify the voting process and encourage broader participation, and will take effect in 2027, with first application planned for the 2028 presidential elections.
Sources: Cyprus Mail, Cyprus News Agency, Cyprus Business News
October 2024
European court finds violations in asylum access denial
On 8 October, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Cyprus violated several human rights, including the prohibition of inhumane or degrading treatment, the prohibition of collective expulsion, and the right to an effective remedy, in the case of two Syrian nationals. In September 2020, Cypriot authorities intercepted the migrants at sea and immediately returned them to Lebanon, where they had lived in a refugee camp for four years after fleeing the conflict in Syria. The Court found that Cyprus had failed to process their asylum claims, as well as to evaluate the living conditions or the risk of persecution in Lebanon and examine the specific situation of the individuals concerned. The ruling sets an important precedent against migrant pushbacks, both at sea and at the buffer zone with Northern Cyprus. The Court ordered Cyprus to pay roughly EUR 50,000 in compensation to the applicants.
Sources: ECHR, Council of Europe, The Guardian, JURIST, Cyprus Times
September 2024
Dismissal of whistleblowing Auditor-General sparks protests
The Supreme Court made a rare decision on 18 September to dismiss Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides, citing inappropriate conduct, including criticising public officials on social media and continuing to allege wrongdoing against officials even after they had been legally cleared. Thousands of people attended a protest against corruption in the justice system, and members of the House Audit Committee staged a walk-out in support of Michaelides during a September Committee meeting. According to the ruling, Michaelides exceeded his authority and abused his position. During his 10-year tenure, Michaelides was involved in disputes with members of the executive branch as well as with the Attorney General, who initiated the case, accusing public officials of illegally receiving pensions and publishing a 2020 audit report on a cash-for-passports scheme. Michaelides expressed the intent to bring a case to the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds of violations of due process (right to a fair trial) and freedom of expression.
Sources: Cyprus Mail (1), Cyprus Mail (2), Cyprus Mail (3), Reuters, Kathimerini, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
February 2024
Parliament considers bill to improve public participation
A proposal to allow members of the public to submit legislative proposals to the Parliament has been submitted by MP Christiana Erotokritou from the centrist Democratic Party (DIKO). The bill would allow members of the public to submit motions to Parliament as long as they have obtained 5,000 signatures. The public’s proposals would then be vetted by the legal department of Parliament, adopted by one or more MPs, and discussed in a parliamentary committee. Erotokritou states that the purpose is to increase public participation and give them direct access to the democratic process. The proposal is currently up for review by the House legal affairs committee.
Sources: The Cyprus Magazine, Cyprus Mail (1), Cyprus Mail (2), bnn
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