Irene Charalambidou appears set to stand as a candidate in the May parliamentary elections, indicating that she will join the ballot of the ALMA movement in the Nicosia district. The Greens are due to announce two additional candidates today, while publicly accusing ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides of attempting to recruit a candidate they have already endorsed.
Indications of an ALMA candidacy
All indications suggest that Charalambidou will ultimately contest the elections on the ALMA ticket in Nicosia. AKEL neither accepted nor rejected a proposal it had submitted to her several months ago, and her public remarks this week came as a surprise to the party leadership on Ezekia Papaioannou Avenue.
Speaking as a guest on the Alpha Enimerosi programme, Charalambidou was asked by journalist Katia Savva whether she intended to seek a fourth term in the House of Representatives. “I am leaning in that direction,” she replied. When asked whether this would be with Odysseas Michaelides’ ALMA movement, she responded pointedly that she has been accustomed for the past 15 years to “taking leaps, and without a safety net”.
Proposals and parallel contacts
According to information obtained by Politis, there is as yet no formal agreement between ALMA and Charalambidou. An informal dialogue has taken place regarding possible cooperation in the parliamentary elections, but no final decision has been reached.
Charalambidou has also received a proposal from DIKO, while there was an initial approach from Volt.
Under AKEL’s party statute, term limits prevent her from seeking a fourth parliamentary term with the party. As a result, the AKEL leadership proposed continuing cooperation through the creation of an Observatory on Corruption and Interlocking Interests, to be headed by Charalambidou. A meeting took place between her and AKEL general secretary Stefanos Stefanou, but discussions did not progress further despite efforts to arrange a follow up meeting. According to Politis sources, Stefanou will seek a new meeting with Charalambidou in the coming period to clarify the situation.
Greens accuse ALMA of poaching candidate
The Greens and Citizens’ Cooperation movement publicly expressed irritation over what they described as an attempt by ALMA to persuade one of their candidates to change political camp. Referring to a media report, the Greens called on ALMA to issue a denial.
The candidate in question is Milto Papadopoulos, who was announced on October 23 as a Greens candidate in the Limassol district. The Greens described the move as an act of political impropriety, stressing that they had consistently supported Odysseas Michaelides both during his tenure as auditor general and during the period that led to his dismissal for misconduct.
The party warned that “there is a day after”, suggesting that the issue could have political consequences, including for potential cooperation ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
According to Politis, Greens president Stavros Papadouris met Papadopoulos on Wednesday to clarify the matter and is awaiting his final response.
Michaelides responds
Responding to the Greens’ statement, ALMA leader Odysseas Michaelides said that every individual, whether a party official or not, has the right to decide with which party they wish to stand as a candidate.
He said that he met Milto Papadopoulos briefly and by chance in November 2025, during which he expressed his appreciation for Papadopoulos’ work and public activity. Michaelides added that if Papadopoulos chooses to stand with the Greens, he will continue to have his respect. If, however, he feels that ALMA represents him better, the possibility of cooperation would be viewed positively.
An ALMA party official told Politis that the contact with Papadopoulos was facilitated by mutual acquaintances of Michaelides and that no negative response has yet been received. Regarding the Greens’ reference to future political relations and the 2028 presidential elections, the official said that ALMA does not intend to pursue alliances in the traditional manner, without ruling out support from other parties.
Greens to announce new names
The Greens are expected today to announce two additional parliamentary candidates. According to information, these will include Andreas Mavrikios, president of the Limassol district organisation, and Kyriaki Christodoulou for the Famagusta district.
Developments across parties
On Thursday, DIKO president Nicolas Papadopoulos announced the candidacy of Solia Pelagia as an appointed candidate in the Famagusta district. Pelagia said her aim is to represent the district’s residents with honesty and determination, to pursue solutions to everyday problems and to contribute to a fair, modern and sustainable Cyprus.
According to Politis, DIKO’s ballots in Limassol and Kyrenia are ready, with preparations in the remaining districts at an advanced stage. Further announcements are expected today or on Monday.
Meanwhile, DIPA is preparing to announce a further ten candidates on Monday. The party has already announced 20 candidates, while consultations with additional figures to complete its ballots are reported to be at an advanced stage.