AKEL begins candidate selection for 2028 Cyprus elections

The political party AKEL is beginning preparations for the 2028 presidential elections in Cyprus, aiming to select its endorsed candidate during an extraordinary party conference in March.

Several potential candidates are currently being discussed within the party. Economist Tassos Yiasemides, a partner at KPMG Cyprus, has been mentioned as a possible candidate following recommendations from former Edek leader Nikos Anastasiou. When asked about the reports, Yiasemides neither confirmed nor denied being approached, stating that “everything has its time.”

Other names under consideration include Andreas Mavroyiannis, who seeks the party's support again after losing the 2023 run-off, and former EU commissioner Christos Stylianides. There is also internal debate regarding whether AKEL Secretary-General Stefanos Stefanou might run himself. Some party members have expressed concern regarding the re-nomination of Mavroyiannis, citing the risk of repeating previous electoral losses.