President Nikos Christodoulides also used crowdfunding to help finance his presidential election campaign when he ran for office in 2023.
The issue has resurfaced following public debate over Makarios Drousiotis' online fundraising campaign and the decision by the Ministry of the Interior to refer the matter to police for examination of whether any issues arise under legislation governing public collections and fundraising.
Christodoulides officially announced his candidacy for the presidency on 12 May 2022. At the time, his campaign website included a dedicated section titled "Financial Support (Crowdfunding)", through which members of the public could contribute financially to his campaign.
The campaign's message stated that citizens' financial support would help ensure that the candidate's positions and messages reached people across Cyprus.
The website read:
"The message of perspective and hope must reach every city, every village, every workplace and every social group. Your financial contribution is what will support and strengthen our effort, so that our messages reach everyone. You give us the strength to move forward with transparency and independence."
The crowdfunding model has returned to public attention because of the discussion surrounding Drousiotis' fundraising effort and whether such campaigns fall within the scope of existing legislation.
The issue gained further prominence after the Interior Ministry requested a police investigation into whether any potential legal concerns arise in connection with the campaign.
