Democracy

Modern democracy is under pressure. As in other European countries, key pillars of democracy in Cyprus have been weakened, including freedom of the press, separation of powers, gender equality, and the protection and participation of minorities. 

Corruption and patronage are deeply embedded in the political system, undermining public trust in democratic institutions. While elite corruption and nepotism are widespread, everyday corruption is less common. These problems contribute to growing political dissatisfaction and disengagement. Despite the emergence of new political actors, political discourse remains underdeveloped, with domestic issues often overshadowed by the Cyprus problem. 

Together with progressive actors from politics, academia, media and civil society, we aim to strengthen pluralism, the rule of law and respect for human rights. In cooperation with our collegues from FES in Vienna, who specialize in democracy issues, and social democrats across Europe, we promote dialogue on these critical issues.