AKEL says No to the 2026 state budget

Statements by Haris Polycarpou, AKEL Head of Economic Policy

 

17 December 2025

AKEL will vote against the state budget for 2026 today, said Haris Polycarpou, Head of AKEL’s Economic Policy and Political Bureau member.

Speaking on the ASTRA radio’s morning show, H.Polycarpou stated that the budget does not meet the needs of the people and lacks ambition or a plan for the future aimed at creating prospects for working people, small and medium-sized enterprises, and vulnerable groups of the population. He added that this year’s budget presented by the Christodoulides government does not concern citizens earning €1,200-1,300 because, as he stressed, it does not affect them. However, H.Polycarpou pointed out that the wealth of the major shareholders of the banks and the golden boys of the economy is increasing., noting that behind the “façade” there is social suffocation.

Haris Polycarpou said that today AKEL will table amendments in an effort to scrutinize state budget expenditure and to be informed about future disbursements. He added that AKEL will seek to submit a series of budget cuts, starting with the amendment to cut spending referring to any privatizations, but also to anything to do with paying tribute to Grivas.

The Head of AKEL’s Economic Policy also said that a special amendment will be tabled to cross-check the budget for the electricity interconnection.