Pioneering the Presidency: Cyprus’s First Presidential Leader

By Konsorsium Biologi
In Politics & Government
9 months ago
4 Min Read
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Archbishop Makarios III, born Mihail Khristodoulou Mouskos, served as the first President of Cyprus from 1960 to 1977. He played a pivotal role in the island’s struggle for independence from British rule and its subsequent transition to a republic.

Background and History:

  • Born on August 13, 1913, in the village of Panagia, Paphos District, Cyprus.
  • Studied theology at the University of Athens and was ordained as a priest in 1946.
  • Elected as Bishop of Kition in 1948 and later became Archbishop of Cyprus in 1950, taking the name Makarios III.
  • Led the Cypriot resistance movement against British colonial rule during the 1950s, calling for self-determination and independence.

Ethnicity:

  • Makarios III was a Cypriot of Greek descent.
  • He identified strongly with the Greek Orthodox Church and advocated for the preservation of Cypriot cultural and religious heritage.

Achievements and Legacy:

  • Independence and Republic: Makarios III played a key role in negotiating the independence of Cyprus from British rule, culminating in the Zurich and London Agreements of 1959.
  • First President: He was elected as the first President of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, serving two consecutive terms until his death in 1977.
  • Non-Aligned Movement: Makarios III pursued a policy of non-alignment during the Cold War, maintaining close relations with both the East and West.
  • Intercommunal Dialogue: He engaged in dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot community, seeking to foster reconciliation and a peaceful resolution to the island’s division.
  • Economic Development: Makarios III initiated economic reforms and development projects, including infrastructure improvements and the promotion of tourism.

Popular Recognition:

  • Makarios III remains a revered figure in Cyprus, known for his leadership, charisma, and dedication to the Cypriot cause.
  • His mausoleum in Nicosia, Cyprus, attracts numerous visitors paying homage to his legacy.
  • His name and image have been featured on Cypriot currency, stamps, and other commemorative items.

Archbishop Makarios III’s presidency was marked by both successes and challenges. He is remembered as a visionary leader who guided Cyprus through its transition to independence and laid the foundation for the island’s future development.

Cyprus ( ), officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, north of the Sinai Peninsula, south of the Anatolian Peninsula, and west of the Levant. It is geographically a part of West Asia, but its cultural ties and geopolitics are overwhelmingly Southeast European. Cyprus is the third-largest and third-most populous island in the Mediterranean. It is located east of Greece, north of Egypt, south of Turkey, and west of Lebanon and Syria. Its capital and largest city is Nicosia. The northeast portion of the island is de facto governed by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The earliest known human activity on the island dates to around the 10th millennium BC. Archaeological remains include the well-preserved ruins from the Hellenistic period such as Salamis and Kourion, and Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world. Cyprus was settled by Mycenaean Greeks in two waves in the 2nd millennium BC. As a strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean, it was subsequently occupied by several major powers, including the empires of the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians, from whom the island was seized in 333 BC by Alexander the Great. Subsequent rule by Ptolemaic Egypt, the Classical and Eastern Roman Empire, Arab caliphates for a short period, the French Lusignan dynasty and the Venetians was followed by over three centuries of Ottoman rule between 1571 and 1878 (de jure until 1914).Cyprus was placed under the United Kingdom's administration based on the Cyprus Convention in 1878 and was formally annexed by the UK in 1914. The future of the island became a matter of disagreement between the two prominent ethnic communities, Greek Cypriots, who made up 77% of the population in 1960, and Turkish Cypriots, who made up 18% of the population. From the 19th century onwards, the Greek Cypriot population pursued enosis, union with Greece, which became a Greek national policy in the 1950s. The Turkish Cypriot population initially advocated the continuation of the British rule, then demanded the annexation of the island to Turkey, and in the 1950s, together with Turkey, established a policy of taksim, the partition of Cyprus and the creation of a Turkish polity in the north.Following nationalist violence in the 1950s, Cyprus was granted independence in 1960. The crisis of 1963–64 brought further intercommunal violence between the two communities, displaced more than 25,000 Turkish Cypriots into enclaves: 56–59  and brought the end of Turkish Cypriot representation in the republic. On 15 July 1974, a coup d'état was staged by Greek Cypriot nationalists and elements of the Greek military junta in an attempt at enosis. This action precipitated the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on 20 July, which led to the capture of the present-day territory of Northern Cyprus and the displacement of over 150,000 Greek Cypriots and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots. A separate Turkish Cypriot state in the north was established by unilateral declaration in 1983; the move was widely condemned by the international community, with Turkey alone recognising the new state. These events and the resulting political situation are matters of a continuing dispute. Cyprus is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean. With an advanced, high-income economy and a very high Human Development Index, the Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the Commonwealth since 1961 and was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement until it joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. On 1 January 2008, the Republic of Cyprus joined the eurozone.

Emblem of Cyprus

To enrich your insights into presidential figures worldwide, also explore some prominent first presidents from other countries, such as Cuba, Croatia and Côte d’Ivoire. Delving into the leadership journeys of these figures can offer valuable perspectives on their historical significance and pivotal roles in shaping global politics.

The President of Cyprus, officially the President of the Republic of Cyprus, is the head of state and the head of government of Cyprus, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Cypriot National Guard. The office was established by the Constitution of 1960, after Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom. The combination of the role of head of state and that of government is unique among member states of the European Union, making Cyprus the only EU state with a full presidential system of government. The constitution, which was negotiated during the London and Zürich Agreements that divided power between the Greek Cypriot community and Turkish Cypriot community, requires the president to be a Greek Cypriot. Other requirements are that the officeholder must be over the age of thirty-five and elected directly in a two-round system. The president's term lasts for five years, and in accordance with the thirteenth amendment to the constitution, no person can serve more than two consecutive terms. Nikos Christodoulides is the eighth and current president of Cyprus, having assumed office on 28 February 2023.

The official residence and symbol of the Cyprus President

10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped Cyprus’s History

The President's Office in Cyprus
The President’s Office in Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus, a Mediterranean island country, has had many influential and popular presidents throughout its history. Here are 10 of the most prominent presidents of Cyprus:

  • 1. Makarios III (1960-1977): Archbishop Makarios III was the first president of Cyprus after gaining independence from British rule. He played a vital role in the formation of the country and its initial years.
  • 2. Glafcos Clerides (1993-2003): Glafcos Clerides was known for his negotiation skills and efforts to find a peaceful solution to the division of Cyprus. He also worked towards the country’s accession to the European Union.
  • 3. Tassos Papadopoulos (2003-2008): Tassos Papadopoulos led Cyprus during a crucial time, particularly in relation to the UN-led peace talks and the country’s EU membership.
  • 4. Nicos Anastasiades (2013-present): Nicos Anastasiades is the current president of Cyprus. He has dedicated his presidency to promoting economic reforms and increasing international cooperation.
  • 5. Spyros Kyprianou (1977-1988): Spyros Kyprianou played a significant role in advocating for the rights of Greek Cypriots during his presidency. He also served as the president of the UN General Assembly.
  • 6. Dimitris Christofias (2008-2013): Dimitris Christofias was the first Communist president of Cyprus. He focused on social welfare and economic policies during his time in office.
  • 7. Georgios Vassiliou (1988-1993): Georgios Vassiliou contributed to the efforts for a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem. He also played a role in the country’s EU accession negotiations.
  • 8. Ioannis Kyprianou (1977): Ioannis Kyprianou served as the acting president for a few months after the death of Archbishop Makarios III. He laid the foundation for future presidents.
  • 9. Tassos Papadopoulos (2003-2008): Tassos Papadopoulos’s presidency was marked by his firm stance on the Cyprus problem and his commitment to the reunification of the island.
  • 10. Nikos Sampson (1974): Although his presidency lasted only eight days, Nikos Sampson played a significant role in the political events leading up to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.

These presidents have left a lasting impact on Cyprus, each contributing to the country in various ways. From advocating for human rights to negotiating peace agreements, their leadership has shaped the history and development of Cyprus.

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Konsorsium Biologi
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