A big change is happening in Cyprus politics. More people are supporting populist ideas. These new political groups are growing stronger. They are not just on the edges anymore. They will likely influence how the country is run. People are unhappy with the old political parties. They feel these parties are not working well. This situation helps unhappy voters share their worries. It also creates problems for democracy.
In the past, the far-right often used populist messages. Now, different groups are using these ideas. The nationalist party ELAM is popular. They talk about national identity and migration. A new movement called ALMA is also growing. It is led by Odysseas Michaelides. ALMA wants honest government and less corruption. Another new voice is Fidias Panayiotou. He is a popular online person. He wants a simpler democracy without old parties.
These populist groups say there are "ordinary people" and a "bad elite." They believe the elite are corrupt. This message is popular because people are tired of scandals. They are also unhappy with main political parties. Trust in politicians is low. This is happening in Cyprus and other countries. Populist groups act like outsiders. They question the fairness of courts and the media.
Political analyst Thanasis Photiou says this is dangerous. He thinks populism makes problems seem simple. It puts leaders above good discussion. This can hurt democracy. People want big changes because of problems and inequality. Populist promises to fix things are appealing.
The government is changing its plans. The President is focusing on real actions. He is also making public appearances. The ruling parties hope the next role in the Council of Europe will help. They will use good communication to improve their image. It is not yet clear if this will stop populism. Cyprus needs to build trust again. It must also fix social problems. People need to believe in their democracy again. Lessons from past events show the need for good government. This is important for protecting democracy.