AKEL celebrates 100th anniversary

Militantly and decisively,
AKEL enters the second century of its life

This year's 15th of August marks the 100th anniversary of the founding congress of the Communist Party of Cyprus and at the same time inaugurates the second century of life of the CPC-AKEL. AKEL looks back with respect and pride on its hundred-year history and enters the new century of its life and action, with optimism, determination and hope. We address a message of unity and solidarity to the members and friends of the Party, to the entire world of the Left, for the small and large struggles that lie ahead of us, for our visions for the present and the future of Cyprus and the world. We simultaneously address an assurance to every Cypriot, regardless of their political affiliation, that AKEL was, is and will be a force for the defense of the entire working world and the middle class against the system, the establishment and the interests that crush the lives and future of the majority of society. It was, is and will be a force for the defense of the homeland, democracy and progress in our country.

The 100th anniversary of the CCP-AKEL is emblematic, both symbolically and substantively. The founding congress of the CCP is a milestone in the history of Cyprus because August 15, 1926 marked the first time that the world of work and toil in our country claimed its role in the forefront of politics and developments. The decisions of that congress defined its identity 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. They paved the way for the Cypriot Left to organize workers, the brotherhood of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot workers, the common front of workers and peasants, the unity of the people in the struggle for the freedom of the homeland, the equality of men and women, the struggle for the people's right to education and culture, progressive sections such as the demand for the separation of Church and State and so many other radical initiatives for the time. The pioneering communists heroically faced the persecutions of colonialism, the furious polemics of the establishment and the ruling class, as well as the deepest social prejudices. However, they managed to plant the seed of the Left and its ideas, to found the labor movement and to pass the baton to AKEL. AKEL, through its struggles and actions, grew rapidly and spectacularly and established itself in the decades that followed as a massive and leading force, with a pioneering and powerful role in political life and Cypriot society, in movements and trade unions, in Parliament and in Local Government, with pan-European and international esteem.

On the occasion of the anniversary, AKEL pays tribute of gratitude and respect to the thousands of people who in these 100 years honored the ranks of our Party, went through trials - persecutions, exiles, murders, imprisonments, twice in illegality, slander campaigns, disappointments and setbacks - and yet succeeded in making the Party one with the people, in inspiring social and labor struggles, in achieving conquests for the workers and the homeland. The memory and sacrifices of our comrades in the past century will live on in the struggles of the new century that is beginning. They will live and illuminate the example of people who put us above the ego, who signed with their blood the love for their homeland and democracy, who dedicated their lives to ideas, ideals and visions.

AKEL today opens a new page in its path with the momentum of its History and ideology, with the power of politics and its daily struggles in every step. Above all, we move forward with the strength that the people give us and the strengthening of AKEL in the recent parliamentary elections sent the strong message that the Left is here! Strong, militant and decisive.

– To claim and win what the country's workers, the new generation, households, the middle class, retirees and vulnerable groups deserve and are entitled to, so that the people can have a life with real dignity and rights.

-To confront the arbitrariness of the banks, the big financial interests that are ravaging the country, the massive sale of our land to foreign capital.

-To defend Democracy against the far-right that poisons society and nostalgically recalls the darkest days of Cypriot history

-To build the social majority against the right-far-right bloc for the progressive change that the country needs in 2028

-To prevent the final partition of our homeland and to pave the way for the end of the occupation and reunification, for the common homeland of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. For a Cyprus that will be a bridge of peace in the Mediterranean and not a base of war for foreign forces.

-For the world we envision and dream of, the world of peace and socialism.

AKEL moves forward and makes History, the future. With the people, for the people. Now and always.

We Make History the Future 

Article by AKEL Secretary General, Stefanos Stefanos

Today, August 15, 2026, marks one hundred years since the day when the hope, expectations and vision of an entire people began within the four walls of Vasileios Makedonios in Limassol to become political action. One hundred years since the founding of the KKK and the starting point of a path that, since 1941, AKEL has continued. A century of struggles, sacrifices and contribution for the land and the people.

This day is a moment of deep emotion and justified pride. Above all, however, it is a moment of responsibility and renewal of our promise to our people and our Cyprus.

We respectfully bow our heads before the pioneering communists who, in difficult times, paved the way. We honor all those who, in this long journey, fought selflessly, were persecuted, imprisoned, exiled, slandered and even gave their lives for freedom and democracy, for peace and solidarity, for social justice, for the ideals and ideas of socialism. We honor the thousands of members and friends of the Party and the Left, who, with their struggles and contributions, made AKEL a great political, social and national force.

Our History is not a privilege or an excuse for complacency. It is a precious heritage and a debt. We do not rest on the achievements and contributions of previous generations of our Party. For us, it is not a check that requires repayment today. It is a benchmark that calls us to prove ourselves worthy, to continue. To learn from our rich History, to honestly study our course, to draw lessons from successes and conclusions from our mistakes and weaknesses. To keep our values, principles, and character alive and at the same time to renew ourselves, to evolve, to respond to the needs of each era by continuing the contribution of the Left with new struggles and new achievements. This is the greatest honor to those who paved the way. This is the greatest honor that we can and must give to those who paved the way.

AKEL was, is and will remain the Party of the working people. A Party that has at the center of its daily policy the progress of society and the well-being of the people. In this way, AKEL contributes to the improvement of the lives of ordinary people, but at the same time shapes the conditions for deeper social changes.

The deepest meaning of this centenary is its reflection on the future.

In this hundred-year journey, the CCP-AKEL has managed to establish itself as a massive and powerful Party, with prestige, influence and an important role in the country and in society. It has succeeded because it consciously followed a political line that placed it at the forefront of the expectations and struggles of the Cypriot people. Leading and not from a pulpit. Open to society, far from ideological dogmatisms and entrenchments that fatally demoralize action. Without losing its orientation and without abandoning its socialist vision, AKEL has managed to leave its indelible mark on the successes of our people, on the conquests of the workers, on the implementation of patriotic, democratic and progressive goals.

Thus, our Party built a stable relationship with the people. Because it was born out of their needs, listened to their anxieties, organized collective demands, transformed injustice into struggle and struggle into conquests. This relationship is the lifeblood of AKEL's existence and strength.

We are the Party of the Cypriot Left that is not content with interpreting reality, but intervenes to change it for the benefit of the many and not the few and privileged. We are the Party that governs on the basis of its principles with a focus on the “now” and with an eye on the “tomorrow”.

The centenary of AKEL finds Cyprus and the world facing great and complex challenges. Occupation and partition threaten the future of our homeland. Wars, militarization and the devaluation of international law endanger peace, stability and security. Social inequalities are widening, work is deregulated and wealth is concentrated in fewer and fewer hands. Poverty, the housing crisis and economic insecurity are particularly burdensome for workers, young people and vulnerable groups. The climate crisis threatens the future of our planet. Technological transition and rapid changes in the economy are creating new opportunities, but also new risks. At the same time, the far right, using nationalism, racism and authoritarianism, is attempting to transform fear and disappointment into hatred and division.

In these circumstances, the Left cannot, nor should it, be simply a force of protest. It must continue to be a force of struggle and perspective. It must provide concrete answers to society's problems and pave the way for deeper changes for the benefit of societies. It must defend what workers have achieved through sacrifices, but also claim the modern rights that our era demands: decent work and wages, strong collective agreements, a welfare state, public and quality health and education, affordable housing, clean and cheap energy, a just green transition, equality and protection of human rights and human dignity.

For AKEL, the greatest historical responsibility remains the liberation and reunification of our homeland and people. These can be achieved by achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem through political and diplomatic means. We continue unwaveringly the struggle to end the occupation within the framework of the agreed solution of the bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant UN resolutions. For a Cyprus that is peaceful, independent, a common homeland of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and a factor of stability in the region. Against the forces of nationalism, partition and the continuation of the status quo, we hold high the flag of the common struggle with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, of rapprochement and the brotherhood of our people.

We are fighting, at the same time, for a society of justice and solidarity, for a modern, democratic and humane state. For institutions that serve the citizen, for transparency, accountability and a decisive confrontation with corruption and entanglement. For a country that invests in its people, in knowledge, innovation, culture and creation. For a Cyprus that will be a bridge of peace and cooperation and not a war base for foreign powers.

We know that no great progressive goal was achieved by one force alone.

The historical experience of the CCP-AKEL confirms the importance of extroversion, collective action and the joining of forces on the basis of a timely progressive agenda. For this reason, we seek cooperation with democratic and progressive forces, movements, organized groups and personalities who share with us the same goals and expectations. The unity we seek is neither vague nor opportunistic. It is built on a pure political basis: the reunification of Cyprus, the progress of society, the defense of labor and the social state, democracy and the rule of law, peace, environmental protection, the fight against entanglement and corruption, resistance to fascism and racism.

For us, collaborations do not mean abandoning our principles and our ideology.

They mean joining forces to change the balance of power in favor of the changes that the place needs. They mean an AKEL open to society, that listens, talks and builds joint action with people from different starting points, but with the same visions and expectations. To promote the joining of forces with the aim of progressive change in our country, AKEL created - together with progressive people and organized groups - the Social Alliance, which we aspire to develop into a dynamic, political platform that embraces all those who expect and fight for a Cyprus that serves society and the expectations of the people, especially the youth.

In the second centenary of the Cypriot Left, we want an AKEL that is even more powerful, massive, modern and assertive. A Party with a presence everywhere, in workplaces, in neighborhoods, in cities, in villages, in educational institutions, in movements and in local communities. A Party that gives space and a role to the new generation, to women, to people of work, science and culture. That utilizes the knowledge and new possibilities of the era, without losing the live contact with the people. That produces documented policies, develops its ideological work and wins the battle of consciences and ultimately, the political battle.

This expresses in a condensed form the slogan of the centenarians of the Party: “We make History the future.” We do not treat History as a museum exhibit or as a simple memory. We take its values ​​and lessons and transform them into strength for the struggles of today. We take its flame and shed light on the roads of tomorrow.

One hundred years later, we continue. With respect to those who paved the way, with confidence in the strengths of our people and with unwavering faith in our ideals, we enter the second century of life and action. We do not lower the bar of our expectations. We do not compromise with injustice, division, exploitation and war. We continue with optimism, unity and determination to “pull towards a new horizon”.

With an eye on tomorrow, we move forward. For Cyprus and the world we dream of. For Man, peace, social justice with a view to socialism.

We make History the future!