Rift between MP Irene Charalambidou and AKEL leads to official separation

The long-standing cooperation between Cypriot MP Irene Charalambidou and the AKEL party has officially ended following a series of public disputes. The conflict escalated after Charalambidou rejected an offer to lead a corruption observatory, an offer she characterized as a move by the leadership to marginalize her. In an interview with Phileleftheros on February 15, 2026, the MP criticized the party's leadership for their strategy during the 2023 presidential elections and their support for Andreas Mavroyiannis. She also alleged that an internal party document had been circulated in the past to undermine her politically. AKEL spokesperson George Koukoumas responded by highlighting contradictions in her statements, noting she previously sought a fourth term despite these grievances. The party has publicly called for her to surrender her parliamentary seat, accusing her of negotiating with other political movements. Charalambidou has since rebranded her social media presence as 'MP of Nicosia,' removing AKEL from her title, while refusing to step down from parliament. She maintains that her criticisms are directed at specific party leaders rather than the broader leftist base.