Support expected from EU leaders for the mission of European Commission envoy Johannes Hahn on the Cyprus issue, the completion today of parliamentary debate on the 2026 state budget, tomorrow’s teachers’ strike, and the impact of climate change on Cyprus’ GDP are among the topics dominating today’s newspaper front pages.
Alithia runs its main story under the headline “Parents furious with teachers”, reporting that confusion and questions surround the stance of POED and OELMEK, which are rejecting a bill they have not yet seen, ahead of tomorrow’s teachers’ strike. Elsewhere, the paper reports revelations from Central Prisons involving alleged pink videos and erotic messages with the purported involvement of a senior official. Another story focuses on six months of community service as an alternative to Guaranteed Minimum Income benefits.
Politis leads with the headline “Children and parents put through hardship”, writing that thousands of pupils and parents will once again face disruption on Thursday due to the teachers’ strike. In another article, Attorney General Giorgos Savvides is quoted as saying “no” to suspending prosecutions in the Thanasis Nicolaou case. The paper also reports that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a Cypriot official for alleged misuse of funds.
Phileleftheros, under the headline “Support from EU leaders”, reports that Johannes Hahn is expected to receive backing from EU leaders for his Cyprus mission. The paper also notes that heart disease, cancer and lifestyle factors are killing Cypriots, according to the Cyprus Health Profile 2025 prepared by the OECD and the European Commission. Elsewhere, it highlights the growing problem of rubbish and construction debris across Cyprus.
Haravgi headlines its main story “Social interventions by AKEL in the Budget”, reporting that AKEL is seeking to intervene in the state budget with measures aimed at supporting society during today’s plenary session of Parliament. In another article, it writes that the Audit Office has identified violations in waste management at the Morphou Police project. It also reports that AKEL is listening to teachers’ concerns and submitting amendments on the evaluation framework.
The English-language Cyprus Mail leads with “Climate change a danger to Cyprus economy”, citing a study by the Economics Research Centre of the University of Cyprus, according to which GDP losses from climate change could reach €29 billion by 2050. Elsewhere, it reports that Attorney General Giorgos Savvides will not halt prosecutions in the Thanasis Nicolaou case, while another article quotes President Nikos Christodoulides as saying that Cyprus’ accession to NATO would be “a natural development”.
The weekly Oikonomiki Kathimerini, under the headline “State payroll a burden on the Budget”, reports that debate on the 2026 budget reaches its peak on Wednesday, 17 December, with very slim chances of rejection. Other stories focus on the arrival of 12 desalination units to prevent water shortages and on non-performing loans falling to 2.3 percent at the end of September, down from 2.9 percent at the end of June.
A wide range of issues also feature on the front pages of Turkish Cypriot newspapers, including the 28th anniversary of Avrupa, a new scandal involving forged documents for “residence permits” in the occupied areas, statements by former Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergün Olgun, and remarks made before the “parliament” by the “finance minister” of the breakaway administration.
Avrupa (Europe), headlined “We salute the resistance fighters”, writes that the newspaper, marking its 28th anniversary, is the longest-running resistance paper in the occupied areas and honours all its journalists and columnists. Elsewhere, it refers to developments in a case involving a man sentenced to 30 years for the sexual exploitation of his underage son, the appeal filed, and medical reports by two doctors from Turkey. No other topics feature on its front page.
Halkin Sesi (Voice of the People), under the headline “Organised robbery”, reports that another ten people have been arrested by the “police” in a forged documents case linked to house rentals used to secure “residence permits”, including a “village head” and his wife. It also reports a house fire in the occupied village of Agios Sergios caused by an electric blanket, with three people taken to hospital. Elsewhere, it relays President Nikos Christodoulides’ interview with a French newspaper and his invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for a meeting.
Kibris (Cyprus), with the headline “Let us not fall into a Don Quixote situation”, features statements by former Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergün Olgun on developments in the Cyprus issue. It also reports the response of Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman to “foreign minister” Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu, who stated that “this country is not Erhürman’s father’s estate”. The paper further notes that the Cyprus Republic’s agreement with France satisfied President Christodoulides.
Finally, Yeni Düzen (New Order), headlined “Because they have money, they go south”, reports statements by the “finance minister” Olgun Amcaoğlu before the “parliament” on Turkish Cypriots travelling to the free areas due to high prices, claiming that shopping is done by those who have money. It also highlights reactions by “MPs” to these remarks and statements by Metin Atan, president of the Turkish Cypriot trade union Kamu-Sen, on the economy in the occupied areas and the need for “early elections”.