Diko and Akel party leaders file candidacies for parliamentary elections

On Wednesday, Diko leader Nicholas Papadopoulos and Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou filed their candidacies for the upcoming parliamentary elections, both topping their party ballots in the Nicosia district. The Nicosia district will account for 19 of the 56 seats in the national parliament. Papadopoulos, 53, emphasized the need for a strong party voice amid polling data suggesting potential record-low support for his party. He identified housing, migration, and employment as core issues for his campaign. Stefanou, 61, framed his party as a necessary support system for society and noted that this will be his final parliamentary election under party rules. Stefanou also highlighted the inclusion of younger candidates on the Akel ballot. Both leaders presented their respective platforms to the public during the registration process.