Controversy surrounding mass police promotions in Cyprus

On March 13, 2026, the Cyprus Police announced the promotion of 268 officers, triggering significant public and political reaction. The opposition party AKEL officially criticized the process, citing allegations of partisan bias, unfair evaluations, and the sidelining of qualified personnel. Reports indicate that some promotions were granted as exceptional cases without standard eligibility checks, specifically concerning officers serving in the Presidential Guard. These concerns align with previous recommendations from the GRECO committee of the Council of Europe, which has repeatedly urged for increased objectivity and transparency in police appointment and transfer procedures. Critics argue that these systemic issues negatively affect the operational readiness of the force. Meanwhile, the "Isotita" police branch union noted that the promotions were announced shortly after they had publicly complained about delays in the process. The leadership of the police force is now facing calls to address these widespread allegations of favoritism.