Role of the House Speaker
Since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, the Presidency of the House of Representatives has been a key institution within the country’s political system, playing an important role in both parliamentary affairs and critical periods of political transition.
Under the Constitution, the Speaker of the House is elected at the beginning of each parliamentary term. The officeholder is responsible for overseeing plenary sessions, maintaining order, directing debates and representing the legislature. The Speaker also assumes presidential duties in cases where the President of the Republic is temporarily absent or unable to perform their functions.
Glafcos Clerides (1960-1976)
Glafcos Clerides served as Speaker of the House from 16 August 1960 to 22 July 1976, a period of nearly 16 years. Initially representing the Patriotic Front and later the United Party, he was elected unopposed during the early parliamentary terms. His leadership coincided with the formative years of the Republic following independence. He later served as President of the Republic from 1993 to 2003.
Tassos Papadopoulos (1976)
Tassos Papadopoulos served as Speaker from 22 July 1976 until 20 September 1976, during the extended parliamentary term following the coup and Turkish invasion. He was elected unanimously by the members present. Papadopoulos later became President of the Republic from 2003 to 2008 and was a founding member of the Democratic Party (DIKO).
Spyros Kyprianou (1976-1977)
Spyros Kyprianou served as Speaker from 20 September 1976 until 22 September 1977 and later again from 1996 to 2001. He was elected unanimously and assumed the duties of President of the Republic following the death of Archbishop Makarios III. He was the founder of DIKO and one of the most influential political figures of the era.
Alekos Michaelides (1977-1981)
Alekos Michaelides served as Speaker from 22 September 1977 until 4 June 1981 as a member of DIKO. He took office after Spyros Kyprianou was elected President of the Republic. His tenure was marked by stability during a difficult post-invasion period.
Georgios Ladas (1981-1985)
Georgios Ladas served during the Fourth Parliamentary Period. He was elected with 20 votes and oversaw the decision to increase the number of parliamentary seats from 50 to 80, with 56 seats allocated to the Greek Cypriot community.
Vassos Lyssarides (1985-1991)
Vassos Lyssarides served as Speaker from 30 December 1985 until 30 May 1991, representing the Movement for Social Democracy (EDEK). He was elected in a third-round vote with 22 votes. A physician, EOKA veteran and founder of EDEK, Lyssarides maintained a prominent role in Cyprus politics and the Cyprus issue.
Alexis Galanos (1991-1996)
Alexis Galanos was elected with the support of DIKO and served for a full parliamentary term. He secured 31 votes with backing from DISY, DIKO and the Liberals. He later served as Mayor of Limassol.
Spyros Kyprianou (1996-2001)
Spyros Kyprianou returned as Speaker of the House from 6 June 1996 until 7 June 2001 during the Seventh Parliamentary Period. He was elected with 30 votes against 26 for Vassos Lyssarides, supported by DIKO and DISY.
Demetris Christofias (2001-2008)
Demetris Christofias served as Speaker from 7 June 2001 until 28 February 2008 as a member of AKEL and was re-elected in 2006. He resigned after being elected President of the Republic, serving from 2008 to 2013. He was the first left-wing Speaker of the House.
Marios Garoyian (2008-2011)
Marios Garoyian served as Speaker from 7 March 2008 until 2 June 2011, representing DIKO. He was elected unopposed and became one of the youngest individuals to hold the office.
Yiannakis Omirou (2011-2016)
Yiannakis Omirou, leader of EDEK and a longstanding party figure, was elected after a multi-round voting process. He served during a period marked by significant economic and political challenges for Cyprus.
Demetris Syllouris (2016-2020)
Demetris Syllouris was elected Speaker with support from a broad range of political parties. His tenure ended prematurely in 2020 when he resigned following Al Jazeera’s revelations concerning the citizenship-by-investment programme.
Adamos Adamou (2020-2021)
Adamos Adamou served as Speaker from 23 October 2020 until 9 June 2021 as a member of AKEL. He was elected by an overwhelming majority to complete the remainder of the parliamentary term. Adamou was an experienced MP and medical doctor.
Annita Demetriou (2021-present)
Annita Demetriou became the first woman in the history of the Republic of Cyprus to be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. She secured 25 votes in the second round of voting with the support of ELAM and DISY.
Also read: Christodoulides received Order of Friendship in Kazakhstan
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
