In a bid to emulate the path taken by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her far-right party, which recently assumed power in Italy, Cyprus’ far-right movement, ELAM, appears to be gearing up for a similar trajectory.
Amid growing scepticism towards Cyprus’ political establishment from a significant section of society, and a seeming reluctance to counter the rising far-right, ELAM is crafting the image of a ruling party, riding on dynamics reminiscent of other far-right movements across Europe.
The Cypriot far-right recently made waves by participating in a conference organised by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in Rome, following an invitation. The event, endorsed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and graced by prominent figures, including Elon Musk, garnered limited coverage in Cypriot media. Despite the subdued local attention, the conference served as a platform for ELAM to send potent messages not only to political entities but also to the government and society at large.
During the conference, ELAM’s President, Christos Christou, highlighted the pressing need for “conservative and patriotic forces” to redefine policies in favour of the common people. Beyond addressing well-established stances on immigration and the Cyprus issue, Christou declared, “Our goal, through the political struggle we are undertaking, is to overhaul the policies that have long affected the economic well-being of our people. The example set by Italy and Ms Meloni serves as inspiration for us to persist in this fight.”
The deliberate mention of Giorgia Meloni is not incidental; she is viewed as a role model for Cyprus’ far-right. Meloni’s rise to power with Brothers of Italy in 2022 sparked intense debates across Europe, given her notably conservative positions. Her political journey, aligning with Italy’s neo-fascist party and facing accusations over her stance on Mussolini’s Fascist era, adds complexity to her controversial profile.
In addition to participating in the ECR conference, ELAM received an invitation to join the group in the European Parliament, provided they secure the election of MEPs. This move comes in the wake of the dissolution of Greece’s Golden Dawn, prompting ELAM to distance itself and take steps to avoid a similar fate.
The far-right group has been seen curbing extreme behaviours among its members, exemplified by the expulsion of Andreas Themistocleous, and actively seeking political alliances with like-minded movements across Europe to bolster its political standing.
ELAM’s transformation, aimed at shedding the shadow of the Golden Dawn and establishing a substantial political role, traces back to its stance in the initial session of the new Parliament in May 2021. With an augmented presence in the Cyprus House of Representatives, ELAM strategically positioned itself as a regulatory force, earning recognition and the symbolic moniker of the “other Right.”
A pivotal moment during the session, marked by the then-President of DISY, Averof Neophytou, signalling towards ELAM’s seats for support solidified their political standing and tacitly anointed them as the “other Right” on the political stage.
