89-year-old musician registers as independent candidate for 2026 parliamentary elections

On May 6, 2026, 89-year-old Christakis Rotsides officially filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the Limassol district in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Rotsides, a retired musician, is noted as being the oldest among the more than 750 individuals contesting the seats. To formalize his candidacy, he paid the required 500-euro deposit and provided the necessary documentation, including two sponsors and two supporters. During his submission, Rotsides emphasized his decision to run independently to rely on his own merit rather than party backing. Regarding the Cyprus problem, he characterized the situation as a matter of invasion and occupation, explicitly rejecting the framing of it as a dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Biographical details confirm his age makes him older than many former and current high-ranking Cypriot political figures, including several past House presidents. He maintains that his decision to enter the race is personal and intended to voice his own political positions.