The progressive party of the working people (AKEL): AKEL is
descended from the Communist Party of Cyprus, which held its first
congress in 1926 but was declared illegal by British authorities
in 1931. Constituted in 1941, AKEL absorbed the Communist party
but was itself declared illegal from 1955 to 1959. As a communist
party based on the principles of Marxism-Leninism, AKEL works for
a fully independent, sovereign, non-aligned, demilitarized,
democratic and federal Cyprus and for socialism. The General
Secretary of the party is Demetris Christofias. The party polled
30.5% of the vote cast in the 1991 House of Representatives
election, winning 18 seats.
LEADER: Demetris Christofias
Born in the village of Kato Dhikomo, Kyrenia district,
on August 29, 1946.
Studied at the Institute of Social Sciences and the Academy of
Social Sciences in Moscow from 1969 to 1974 where he received
the Diploma and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
History (Ph. D. history).
1974 Elected to the post of Central Organising Secretary
of EDON (AKEL's Youth Section).
1977-87 General Secretary of EDON
1986 Full member of Polit Bureau of AKEL
1988 Elected General Secretary of AKEL
1991 Elected Member of the House of Representatives.
Married with three children.
INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AKEL:
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