The Cypriot communist party that rose from the underground to the presidency
In short: Born from a banned movement during British colonial rule, AKEL has shaped Cyprus for decades. From controlling major trade unions to leading the nation as President, this Marxist-Leninist party has navigated decades of intense political violence, shifting colonial allegiances, and the complexities of European integration.
The Progressive Party of Working People, known as AKEL, emerged in 1941 from the underground remnants of the Communist Party of Cyprus (KKK). The KKK had been driven illegal by the British colonial government in 1931 following the Cyprus revolt riot. By 1944, the two organizations officially merged. While the party's roots were in the struggle against exploitation and British rule, its political stance on Enosis—the union with Greece—evolved significantly. Initially, AKEL advocated for a gradual transition through self-government, but after the failure of a consultative assembly in 1949, the party shifted to supporting immediate Enosis.
The party's history is marked by intense internal and external conflict. During the late 1950s, AKEL opposed the violent tactics of the EOKA resistance movement. This friction led to tragedy; EOKA accused AKEL members of being British collaborators, resulting in the assassination of supporters like Savas Menoni. Simultaneously, Turkish Cypriot nationalist organization TMT exerted pressure on the party's Turkish members, leading to the death of editor Fazıl Önder and the flight of trade union leader Ahmet Sadi to the UK. By 1965, the death of Derviş Ali Kavazoğlu marked the end of Turkish Cypriot representation on AKEL's central committee.
Despite periods in opposition, AKEL has held significant power. In 2008, General Secretary Dimitris Christofias was elected President of Cyprus, winning 53.36% of the vote. During the Great Recession, the party implemented substantial social measures, including a 30% increase in low pensions and allocating €12 million annually to university student welfare. While the party remains a major force, advocating for a federal solution to the Cyprus problem, it has faced electoral setbacks, including losses in the 2013, 2018, and 2023 presidential elections.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Progressive Party of Working People
- Also: Progressive Party of the Working People | political party, Cyprus | Britannica
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