Cyprus - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Cyprus, it was the derivation of the name "Cyprus" is unknown, but the extensive mining of copper metal on the island in antiquity gave rise to the Latin word "cuprum" for copper. The Government system in this country is the Republic of Cyprus - presidential republic; self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district located entirely in the Turkish Cypriot community), Larnaka (Larnaca; with a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos); note - the 5 "districts" of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosa (Nicosia)
National symbols
Cypriot mouflon (wild sheep), white dove; national colors: blue, white.
The flag
The National flag of Cyprus has centered on a white field is a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the island has long been famous for its copper deposits) above two olive-green-colored, crossed olive branches; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities.
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note: one of only two national flags that uses a map as a design element; the flag of Kosovo is the other
note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which are centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national flag but with the colors reversed
note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag retains the white field of the Cyprus national flag but displays narrow horizontal red stripes positioned a small distance from the top and bottom edges between which are centered a red crescent and a red five-pointed star; the banner is modeled after the Turkish national flag but with the colors reversed
The National Anthem
| Title | "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS |
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note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey
More about the government of Cyprus
| Date of Independence | 16 August 1960 (from the UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are recognized only by Turkey |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Republic Day" |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with European law supremacy |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Ratified 16 August 1960; note - in 1963, the constitution was partly suspended as Turkish Cypriots withdrew from the government; Turkish-held territory in 1983 was declared the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"); in 1985, the "TRNC" approved its own constitution |
| Amendments | Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus - proposed by the House of Representatives; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the "Greek Community" and the "Turkish Community"; however, all seats of Turkish Cypriot members have remained vacant since 1964; amended many times, last in 2020; constitution of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” - proposed by at least 10 members of the "Assembly of the Republic"; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership and approval by referendum; amended 2014 |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Cyprus |
| Dual citizenship recognized | yes |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 7 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023) |
| Head of government | President Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (since 28 February 2023) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the 1960 constitution, 3 of the ministerial posts reserved for Turkish Cypriots, appointed by the vice president; positions currently filled by Greek Cypriots |
| Elections/appointments | president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); election last held on held 5 February 2023 with a runoff on 12 February 2023 (next to be held in 2028) |
| Election results | 2023: Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (independent) 32%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS (independent) 29.6%, Averof NEOFYTOU (DISY) 26.1%, Christos CHRISTOU (ELAM) 6%, other 6.3%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDS 52%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS 48% 2018: Nikos ANASTASIADIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS (DISY) 35.5%, Stavros MALAS (AKEL) 30.2%, Nicolas PAPADOPOULOS (DIKO) 25.7%, other 8.6%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS 56%, Stavros MALAS 44% |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 80 (all directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Proportional representation |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 5/30/2021 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | Democratic Rally (DISY) (17); Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL) (15); Democratic Party (DIKO) (9); National Popular Front (ELAM) (4); Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK) (4); Democratic Alignment (DIPA) (4); Cyprus Green Party (KOP) (3) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 14.3% |
| Expected date of next election | May 2026 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court of Cyprus (consists of 13 judges, including the court president); note - the highest court in the "TRNC" is the "Supreme Court" (consists of 8 "judges," including the "court president") |
| Judge selection and term of office | Republic of Cyprus Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Supreme Court judges; judges can serve until age 68; "TRNC Supreme Court" judges appointed by the "Supreme Council of Judicature," a 12-member body of judges, the attorney general, appointees by the president of the "TRNC," and by the "Legislative Assembly," and members elected by the bar association; judge tenure NA |
| Subordinate courts | Republic of Cyprus district courts; Assize Courts; Administrative Court; specialized courts for issues relating to family, industrial disputes, the military, and rent control; "TRNC Assize Courts"; "district and family courts" |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Evangelos SAVVA (since 15 September 2023) |
| Chancery | 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 462-5772 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 483-6710 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://www.cyprusembassy.net/ |
| Consulate(s) general | New York |
| Honorary consulate(s) | Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kirkland (WA), Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Julie D. FISHER (since 21 February 2023) |
| Embassy | Metochiou and Ploutarchou Street, 2407, Engomi, Nicosia |
| Mailing address | 5450 Nicosia Place, Washington DC 20521-5450 |
| Telephone | [357] (22) 393939 |
| FAX | [357] (22) 780944 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://cy.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 3 (all cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Paphos; Painted Churches in the Troodos Region; Choirokoitia |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Cyprus
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Cyprus
Want to know more about Cyprus? Check all different factbooks for Cyprus below.
