Parliamentary elections in Cyprus

Following the parliamentary elections in Cyprus on May 22nd and the good result of DISY party with 34.28% and 20 members, Wilfried Martens, European People's Party (EPP) President, was quick to congratulate the member party of the EPP on its national outcome and took the opportunity to discredit Progressive Party of the Workers (AKEL) by qualifying it "Europhobic" in these terms: " Even though Europe has been sidelined in the last three years by the current Cypriot President, I am convinced that DISY’s victory marks the beginning of the end of his left, and its europhobic governance. "

Surprised by this statement, AKEL answered that " Cyprus participates creatively in European political developments and any different views submitted by the government of Demetris Christofias are not aimed to the rejection of the European Union in general, but in combating neo-liberal, anti-people policies and the militarisation of the EU. It is, moreover, to accomplish the dream of a Europe for all the peoples, with social justice and cohesion, democracy and peace. "

Nevertheless, while the dominant media announced before time the defeat of the Communists in the power, the Progressive Party of the Workers ( AKEL) increased in 1,36 points its 2006 electoral percentage. AKEL and its ally, the Democratic Party (DIKO), are the major parties of the governmental coalition, with respectively 32.67% and 15.76%, and will preserve 28 on 56 seats.