Nikos Christodoulides

The opposition and several media outlets accused Christodoulides of favouring associates or electoral supporters in appointments to public and semi-public bodies.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Vasilikos LNG terminal project, awarded before Christodoulides became president, became a major governance controversy following abandonment of construction and the opening of an EPPO investigation into suspicions of procurement fraud, embezzlement of European funds and corruption.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Christodoulides challenged before the courts a law requiring publication of major donors to the social fund chaired by his wife. The Constitutional Court ruled in his favour, but a subsequent audit identified insufficient transparency and circumstances that could create an appearance of influence.

State of the evidence

Established

Attribution

Directly implicated

The reforms strengthened the Audit Office's autonomy, but the European Commission noted that appointment of the Auditor General and deputy remained entirely under the president's control.

State of the evidence

Established

Attribution

Political responsibility

Christodoulides confirmed that the European Public Prosecutor's Office was reviewing the major Cyprus–Greece electricity cable project amid disputes over its cost, financing and viability.

State of the evidence

Documented

A covertly recorded and edited video showing people close to the president discussing donations, access to power and sanctions prompted the resignation of the chief of staff and the First Lady's withdrawal from the social fund. An independent investigation established the authenticity of many hours of raw footage but assessed the publicly released eight-minute edit as having limited evidential value.

In 2026, the European Commission noted progress in strengthening the anti-corruption authority, its recruitment and staffing, as well as new investigations and convictions, while highlighting continuing criticism concerning delays and effectiveness in high-level cases.

State of the evidence

Established

Attribution

Shared responsibility

Christodoulides announced suspension of the processing of new Syrian asylum applications following an increase in arrivals. Human Rights Watch subsequently documented testimony alleging pushbacks to Lebanon and Syria.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following the Cyprus Confidential revelations concerning Cypriot financial services and sanctioned Russian interests, Christodoulides promised investigations and sought US assistance. Establishment of the national sanctions unit was nevertheless delayed until its legal launch in 2025.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Christodoulides resigned as Foreign Minister amid the succession contest, then ran as an independent against DISY's official candidate and won the 2023 presidential election.

State of the evidence

Established

Attribution

Political responsibility

The first government comprised 14 men and 11 women, alongside several figures who had served in previous administrations, although Christodoulides had promised approximately 50% women and substantial renewal.

State of the evidence

Established

Attribution

Directly implicated

The appointment of a 19-year-old adviser in the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and other recruitment involving people close to the presidential campaign prompted an outcry. The Audit Office found one appointment inconsistent with the criteria then in force.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Christodoulides served as government spokesperson and then Foreign Minister during much of the period when the citizenship-by-investment programme operated and faced criticism.

State of the evidence

Documented