Cyprus

Parliamentary Elections 2026 vs 2021: Net gains and losses in votes by party

By: SigmaLive English

Date:

The parliamentary elections 2026 recorded significant changes across the political spectrum compared with the 2021 parliamentary vote, with voter movement, the rise of new political parties and notable losses for traditional political forces reshaping the electoral map.

The Democratic Rally (DISY) retained first place with 27.1% and 101,013 votes in 2026, compared with 27.77% and 99,329 votes in 2021. While the party gained 1,684 additional votes, its overall share fell slightly by 0.67 percentage points.

Meanwhile, AKEL strengthened its position significantly, rising from 22.34% and 79,913 votes in 2021 to 23.9% and 88,777 votes in 2026. The increase represents an additional 8,864 votes and a gain of 1.56 percentage points.

ELAM records biggest gains

The most dramatic shift in the elections came from ELAM, which sharply increased its electoral strength.

The party rose from 6.78% and 24,255 votes in 2021 to 10.9% and 40,567 votes in 2026. The increase of 16,312 votes and 4.12 percentage points marked the strongest electoral growth among all parties.

Pressure on centre parties

At the same time, DIKO recorded losses, dropping from 11.29% and 40,394 votes in 2021 to 10% and 37,222 votes in 2026.

Even heavier losses were recorded by the historic EDEK party, which fell from 24,023 votes and 6.72% in 2021 to 12,099 votes and 3.3% in 2026, failing to secure parliamentary representation. The decline amounted to 11,924 votes.

DIPA also suffered losses, falling from 21,832 votes and 6.10% to 11,693 votes and 3.1%, losing 10,139 votes overall and its place in parliament.

Greens lose support

The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation was also among the major losers of the elections.

The party dropped from 15,761 votes and 4.41% in 2021 to 7,264 votes and 2% in 2026, losing 8,497 voters.

New political movements emerge

The political landscape in 2026 also changed with the entry of new political formations that did not have a comparable electoral presence in 2021.

ALMA secured 21,700 votes (5.8%), while Direct Democracy Cyprus received 20,159 votes (5.4%).

At the same time, Active Citizens gained 11,890 votes (3.2%), and Volt Cyprus secured 11,487 votes (3.1%).

The overall picture points to a shifting electoral landscape, with stronger support for ELAM and AKEL, DISY maintaining first place and substantial weakening among parties in the centrist and intermediate political space.

Turnout and abstention

The 2026 parliamentary elections again recorded high abstention rates, underscoring the long-standing challenge of voter participation.

According to the final figures, 380,851 voters cast ballots out of 569,182 registered voters. Voter turnout reached 66.91%, while abstention stood at 33.09%.

In comparison, turnout in 2021 reached 65.72% with abstention at 34.28%, meaning participation increased by around 1.2 percentage points.

Despite the improvement, nearly one in three voters still abstained from the electoral process.

Also read: Six parties enter Parliament: These are the 56 new MPs
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel

Share post:

Popular

More like this
Related

Woman rescued after car overturns in Limassol

A serious road accident occurred in Limassol on Monday morning when a woman's car overturned after striking roadside barriers.According to SIGMA's Limassol correspondent, Evangelos Evangelou, the driver lost control of her vehicle on a road from Parekklisia under circumstances that remain under investigation.The car struck roadside barriers before overturning.The woman was freed from the overturned vehicle, while police officers attended the scene to investigate the accident.An ambulance was also dispatched to transport her to hospital.Police are investigating the exact circumstances that led to the crash. Also read: Head-on collision between two vehicles in Nisou:...

Heavy rain forecast, storms from Wednesday

A low-pressure system developing over the Adriatic Sea is moving southeast and is expected to affect Cyprus from Wednesday afternoon, bringing worsening weather conditions and potentially heavy, prolonged rainfall. According to the Department of Meteorology, weak low pressure currently affects the region, with isolated showers and thunderstorms expected ahead of the approaching system. The Cyprus heavy rain forecast indicates that conditions will deteriorate from Wednesday afternoon, initially in western areas before spreading gradually across the rest of the island. Monday: Isolated showers and possible thunderstorms Today, Monday, the weather will be partly cloudy and occasionally mostly cloudy. Initially, isolated showers are expected, with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm, mainly along the western and northwestern coasts. After midday, developing clouds are expected to bring isolated showers and possibly a thunderstorm, particularly in the mountains, northern areas and inland. Winds will initially be light and variable at Force 3 on the Beaufort scale, gradually becoming mainly southwesterly to northwesterly, light to moderate at Force 3 to 4. In southwestern areas, winds may temporarily strengthen to Force 4 to 5. The sea will generally be calm to slightly rough. Temperatures are expected to reach: 30°C inland 28°C along the southern and eastern coasts 27°C along the western and northern coasts 20°C in the higher mountains Monday night: Cloudy spells and coastal showers Tonight, locally increased cloud cover is expected at intervals, potentially bringing isolated showers to coastal areas. Winds will gradually become downslope, remaining light at Force 3, while the sea will generally be calm to slightly rough. Temperatures will fall to around 18°C inland, 21°C along the coasts and 10°C in the higher mountains. Tuesday: Rain and thunderstorms in several areas On Tuesday, conditions will remain partly cloudy and occasionally mostly cloudy. After midday, isolated showers or thunderstorms are expected, mainly in the mountains, inland and northern areas. Temperatures will remain at approximately the same levels as Monday. Wednesday: Weather deteriorates from the afternoon Wednesday will be mostly cloudy, with localised rainfall and isolated thunderstorms expected at intervals, particularly across the western half of the island. From the afternoon onwards, weather conditions are expected to deteriorate, initially in western Cyprus before gradually spreading to other areas. Rainfall and thunderstorms could be locally intense or prolonged, according to the Department of Meteorology. The approaching low-pressure system is expected to bring the most significant change in conditions during this period. Thursday: Rain continues as temperatures fall Thursday will remain mostly cloudy, with localised showers and isolated thunderstorms expected at intervals. Temperatures will gradually decline between Tuesday and Thursday, falling below the seasonal average. The Cyprus heavy rain forecast therefore points to a marked deterioration in conditions from Wednesday afternoon, with unsettled weather continuing into Thursday. Also read: Annita Demetriou explains withdrawal from presidential raceFor...

Annita Demetriou explains withdrawal from presidential race

Annita Demetriou has explained her decision to withdraw her...

How the Paphos crash that injured six unfolded drunk driver arrested

Police are investigating the circumstances of a road accident...