100 years since the Founding Congress of the Communist Party of Cyprus CPC

 

AKEL enters the second century of its existence militant and determined

15 August 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

This year’s 15 August marks the 100th anniversary of the founding Congress of the Communist Party of Cyprus (CPC) and, at the same time, it heralds the start of the second century of the CPC-AKEL’s existence.

AKEL looks back with respect and pride on its hundred-year history and enters this new century of its existence and activity with optimism, determination and hope. We send out a message of unity and cohesion to the members and friends of the Party, to all the people of the Left, for the struggles – both small and big – that lie ahead of us, and for our visions for the present and future of Cyprus and the world.

At the same time, AKEL assures every Cypriot man and woman, regardless of their political affiliation, that AKEL has been, is, and will remain a force defending the people of labour as a whole and the middle strata against the system, the establishment and the interests that are crushing the lives and futures of the majority of society. AKEL has been, is, and will continue to be a force defending our homeland, democracy and progress in our country.

The 100th anniversary of the CPC-AKEL is a milestone, both symbolically and in substance. The founding congress of the CPC marks a landmark in the history of Cyprus because 15 August 1926 marked the first time that the working class in our country asserted its role on the political scene and in developments.

The decisions of that congress defined its character as a Party guided by Marxism-Leninism and the ideals of justice, internationalism and solidarity, with a vision of a world of peace and socialism. These decisions charted the course for the Cypriot Left towards the organisation of the working people, the friendship of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot workers, for a united front of workers and farmers, and the unity of the people in the struggle for the freedom of the homeland, for equality between men and women, the struggle for the people’s right to education and culture, progressive profound changes such as the demand for the separation of Church and State, and so many other radical demands for the time.

The pioneering communists, both men and women, heroically stood up to the persecutions of colonial rule, the fierce hostility of the establishment and the ruling class, but also the long-standing social prejudices. They succeeded, however, in sowing the seeds of the Left and its ideas, in laying the foundations of the workers movement, and in passing the baton to AKEL.

AKEL, through its struggles and actions, grew rapidly and spectacularly, establishing itself in the decades that followed as a mass and leading force, playing a pioneering and powerful role in political affairs and Cypriot society, in social movements and the trade union movement, in Parliament and in local government, and has earned all-European and international recognition.

On the occasion of this anniversary, AKEL pays tribute with gratitude and respect to the thousands of people who, over these 100 years, have honoured the ranks of our Party, having endured numerous trials – persecution, exile, assassinations, imprisonment, being driven underground twice, smear campaigns, disappointments and setbacks – and yet managed to unite the Party with the people, to inspire social and worker’s struggles, and to achieve victories for the working people and the nation.

The memory and sacrifices of our comrades over the past century will live on in the struggles of the new century that is now beginning. They will live on and shine as an example of people who put “the collective interest and struggle” over and above the “personal I”, who sealed their love for the country and democracy with their own blood, who dedicated their lives to ideas, ideals and visions.

Today, AKEL turns a new page in its history, driven by the momentum of its history and ideology, and by the strength of its political vision and its daily struggles on every front.

Above all, we are moving forward with the strength given to us by the people, and AKEL’s gains in the recent parliamentary elections sent a powerful message that the Left is here! Strong, militant and determined.

• To assert and secure what the country’s workers, the young generation, households, the middle strata, pensioners and vulnerable groups deserve and are entitled to, so that the people may live with genuine dignity and rights.
• To stand up to the arbitrariness of the banks, to the powerful financial interests that are plundering the country, and to the mass sell-off of our land to foreign capital.
• To defend democracy against the far right, which is poisoning society and nostalgic for the darkest days of Cypriot history
• To build, in opposition to the Right and far-right bloc, a social majority for the progressive change our country needs in 2028
• To prevent the permanent partition of our homeland and pave the way for an end to the occupation and reunification, for a common homeland for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. For a Cyprus that will be a bridge of peace in the Mediterranean and not a launching pad for waging war by foreign powers.
• For the world we envisage and dream of, a world of peace and socialism.

AKEL is moving forward and turning history into the future.

With the people, for the people. Now and always!