Cyprus' mafia scene
The Ukrainian Pontic from Dubai, Mr Edik Anton, and his team are, according to Proto Thema, said to be behind the elimination of the Greek mafia. The former tobacco traders started morphing into mafia bosses across Greece and, according to sources, now also in Cyprus. Reportedly, the local mafia of Cyprus flew (first class) to Dubai and paid obeisance to Edik. They even laid out the prospects in Cyprus, telling him that those currently pulling the strings in the country have a disadvantage, since some are behind bars. Lo and behold, Edik’s team began demanding protection money, and some of the smaller operators have already backed down. The big players refuse, arguing that if they cede, Cyprus will become a 1930s Chicago. We hear that the President is also briefed on the matter and is taking it seriously. It is not excluded that, if it emerges that Ukrainian actors are behind the latest criminal acts in Limassol, a request will be made to the Dubai government for extradition of their leadership. We understand that Greece is also moving in that direction, following the recent murders in the Attica basin.
The 'red minister'
What emerged from last Thursday’s meeting between OEB (Organisation of Employers and Industrialists) and KEVE (Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry)? That the leaderships of the employers were furious with the “Red Minister of Labour,” who had the audacity to propose “cost-of-living allowances for all.” The organisations are demanding that Yiannis Panayiotou withdraw that proposal in order to return to the negotiating table. Voices were heard calling for a statement condemning the minister and even for a direct meeting with the President. According to an attendee at the OEB‑KEVE meeting, a call suddenly came in from Brussels, with the President requesting that no announcement be issued. He told them he would prefer to invite the organisations to meet and resolve the issue on Monday. In short: he wanted the initiative to appear as his own (ah, that image of yours, Nikos), so he bypassed the “Red John” and donned his blue suit to meet employer organisations with Makis Keravnos. Alpha News on Friday commented on the President’s move as a signal that the Minister of Labour might be reshuffled.
That scenario of a reshuffle keeps getting tossed about, with “Little Richelieu” trying to sound clever, insisting he’ll do it when he does it and won’t share the prerogative with anyone - not even with the one courageous minister who asked him directly: “Am I staying or am I going, buddy?” What he fails to understand is how much damage he is inflicting on the institution of minister and, more broadly, on the government. For two months now, after the fires, the reshuffle scenario drags on, gossip is rampant, ministers are being ridiculed, and they hesitate to make decisions. A recent minister was asked to speak at an event in late October and declined because he didn’t know if by then he’d still be a minister. Beyond the presidential theatrics, we believe his ministers share the blame, they should demand in the next Cabinet meeting that he clarify his intentions. After all, political dignity is at stake. Is anything like that on the Cabinet agenda today?
Parliamentary shenanigans
Around ten sitting MPs from established parties will not seek re‑election, and many who do may not be re‑elected. The conclusion that we face a new Parliament is, in short, accurate. The prospect of refreshing personnel becomes even more compelling if one considers polls showing DISY and AKEL unlikely to return to 18 or 20 seats, as they lose share, while ELAM and ALMA gain, and DIKO probably holds steady. In short, we will definitely have five parties in Parliament, but not with the big gaps they had before, where each had 8–15 MPs. If one looks at what’s coming from ELAM and ALMA, the new Parliament may resemble a circus. In case it wasn’t obvious: in the upcoming elections the systemals will take on the anti‑systemals, or, if you prefer, the serious versus the unserious. If those elected are the ones who see Cyprus as Uganda or Ethiopia … behold, the Africans of Cyprus!
“I have until now entirely refrained from any public discussion regarding the May 2026 elections,” says Eirini Charalambidou from her Facebook page. But what is she really telling us? She has given interviews, AKEL has issued warnings, and everyone knows the contacts she has made. She discussed it with ALMA, discussed it recently with DIKO, and yes, she is weighing it all … yet also afraid. In ALMA, Odysseas wants her to be second on the list, but those in the second‑spot roles don’t want her. In DIKO they want her, but she fears she may not get in and will make a mockery of herself. She also fears the wrath from Left voters who backed her, who may not follow her if she leaves. Meanwhile, her statements drift into the infinite on a boat of hope: “All I have said is that I am a politician who fights in the front line and will not be marginalised to accommodate anyone. From there on, the scenarios that others, intentionally and purposefully floated on social media by people without knowledge, leave me completely indifferent. I will make my decisions when I am ready.” She does, however, take a swipe at AKEL, speaking of a “rudimentary democracy”, that in elections, the only decision‑makers are the people, and their verdict must always be respected. In short: why don’t you let me stand and let the people decide? Otherwise, “First I must decide whether to run, then under which ticket.” A minor Charalambidean storm, indeed.
Changes across the media sphere
Marina Oikonomidou, editor‑in‑chief of Kathimerini, is moving to Alpha, and in her place, Thanasis Fotiou, who recently left Phileleftheros, will take over. At Alpha, Marina will for now focus purely on journalistic work, especially commentary on the News Bulletin. We hear that Alpha is preparing a weekend print edition in collaboration with To Vima. Meanwhile, the new owner of Phileleftheros has granted generous across‑the‑board raises, and Politis launched its new English site 15 days ago, already enjoying praise from expatriates and non‑Greek‑speaking communities in Cyprus alike. Conclusion: something is stirring in Cyprus’ media landscape.
What will Elam do as asylum seeker numbers drop?
There is wailing at ELAM as new asylum applications in the European Union fell in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year. According to Eurostat figures, from January to March 2025 there were 183,810 new asylum seekers, a drop of 23.5% year on year. What will those black‑dressed pole‑bearers say now? From whom will they protect us, really? Will they find a solution? Perhaps they’ll return to beating Turkish Cypriots crossing into the Government-Controlled Areas?
“We are always open to dialogue,” says DISY MP Alekos Tryfonidis in an interview with Katerina Iliadi, when asked why the centre could not unite. “Our priority is to strengthen the Centre through programme convergence, not through communicative or ad hoc manoeuvres. The necessity of a strong centrist space is more urgent than ever.” So why didn’t Nikolas and Karoyan reach agreement despite meeting multiple times recently? Information suggests DISY didn’t want a reunion because Karoyan believes his party could reach 4–5% and enter Parliament with at least 3 MPs. And then? 2028 looms, and that’s where the real game begins. You know… as Fytos used to say.