A journey written with the ideals of peace and socialism
15 August 1926 – the founding Congress of the Communist Party of Cyprus (CPC)
15 August 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
This year’s 15 August marks the 99th anniversary of the founding Congress of the Communist Party of Cyprus and is the threshold for the emblematic 100th anniversary of the CPC-AKEL.
The founding Congress of the CPC signified the first time in Cyprus’ history that the people of labour and toil came to the fore of political action and asserted their role as protagonists in history. Furthermore, the decisions approved by the founding Congress determined the character and charted the course of the Left in Cyprus.
The pioneering communists faced persecution and hostility from the establishment and the ruling class, as well as the deep-rooted social prejudices of the time. Nevertheless, they managed to lay the foundations of the country’s workers’ movement, ignite the flame of our great visions, and lay the foundations of our Party.
AKEL, taking up the baton from the CPC, dramatically expanded its reach and influence among workers and the Cypriot people in general. It became the driving force of the popular masses and emerged as a leading force in the country, with a pioneering and powerful presence in society and local communities, in movements and trade unions, in Parliament and in local government, whilst enjoying an all-European and international recognition.
The history of the CPC-AKEL has been full of struggles and sacrifices made for the freedom of Cyprus and its people, for the rights and just cause of the working people, and for the small and big achievements of the people that have driven our country forward. This journey was written with the noble ideals of democracy, peace, and socialism, and marked by the blood and sweat of thousands of fighters who faced all kinds of ordeals and overcame them.
AKEL honors its history by continuing its path. With the strength of its ideology and the momentum of its history, AKEL enters the second century of the Party’s life and struggles united and renewed, combative and strong, ready for the battles ahead of it.
On the occasion of this anniversary, AKEL calls on all members and friends of the Party, on the fellow fighters of the Social Alliance, on all progressive people in the country to rally their forces for a counterattack by the Left at all levels.
Our people do not deserve the humiliation and dead ends that the Anastasiades and Christodoulides governments have reserved for the country.
Our homeland cannot compromise with the slow death of the partitionist status quo.
Working people and the young generation can no longer bear not having any prospects for a better life in their own country.
Democratic and progressive people cannot tolerate society and this country’s youth being poisoned by the far right and fascism.
With a strong AKEL, this course can be reversed, the balance of forces can be reversed, and the way can be paved for the small and big changes that Cyprus and its people deserve.
The Left is ready for struggle. A force for the future.
13.08.2025
