Eighty-nine-year-old musician runs as independent candidate in Cyprus parliamentary elections

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 89-year-old Christakis Rotsides officially registered as an independent candidate for the parliamentary elections in the Limassol district. A retired musician, Rotsides paid the required 500-euro deposit and secured the necessary support from proposers and seconders to participate. He emphasized his intention to campaign independently without reliance on political parties or outside support. Regarding the Cyprus dispute, Rotsides characterized the situation as an issue of invasion and occupation rather than an internal conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Media reports highlight that he is the oldest candidate among more than 750 individuals participating in the 2026 election cycle. His age makes him older than seven of the thirteen individuals who have previously served as the president of the House of Representatives, including the current speaker, Annita Demetriou. Rotsides was born just five years after former president Spyros Kyprianou.