Three months ahead of the parliamentary elections in May, the political landscape appears largely set. All opinion polls, including the first major poll conducted by “P” before the ballot and published in yesterday’s edition, indicate that little is likely to shift in the coming weeks. The main uncertainty concerns whether the new House will comprise six parties, as currently seems most probable, or whether one or two smaller parties hovering around the electoral threshold will ultimately secure entry or remain outside Parliament.
Diverging views on the emerging party landscape
Based on polling data, opinions differ regarding the new party configuration.
Many observers regard the contraction of parties that dominated political life in recent years as a normal and positive development. In this view, established parties are being held accountable for their long-standing responsibility in shaping the country’s course and for their failure to respond to social signals over time.
Others express concern. They view as risky the consolidation of the far-right ELAM in the new House, as well as the prospective entry, with strengthened representation, of newly formed and self-described anti-system formations linked to the former Auditor General and Member of the European Parliament Fidias.
Concerns over structure and substance
The main reservation regarding the two newer formations is that they are not perceived as being grounded in defined political positions or programmes. Critics argue that they lack a clear political philosophy, ideology, organisational structures and collective processes, and that they function primarily as personality-centred vehicles serving the founders’ immediate objectives.
The counter-argument
There is, however, a counter-view. Any new political formation requires time to develop, clarify its positions and demonstrate its contribution to society. From this perspective, it is argued that such time should be afforded.
A further argument maintains that, when a significant portion of society appears willing, even at the level of polling, to support these formations and send them to Parliament, expressing reservations about their potential entry may be seen as dismissive of popular will.
The role of the electorate
Ultimately, the decision on whether a party enters Parliament, increases or decreases its representation lies with the electorate. This principle is not disputed.
However, acknowledging the electorate’s decisive role does not automatically mean that every outcome should be regarded as inherently correct. Both in Cyprus and internationally, there are numerous examples where voters have made choices later considered misguided.