The far-right ELAM party has submitted a series of amendments to the 2026 state budget, targeting state expenditure on migration and bicommunal educational programmes.
As parliament moves toward a final vote today on the Republic’s fiscal plan, ELAM has proposed the total elimination of credits earmarked for the opening of new crossing points and the funding of bicommunal initiatives.
The party’s proposals include defunding the state scholarship scheme that supports Turkish Cypriot English School students residing in the occupied areas.
ELAM’s amendment seeks to halt all tuition fee subsidies for Turkish Cypriot students, arguing that state funds should be prioritised exclusively for Greek Cypriots.
This stance extends to broader educational grants, with the party proposing to cut all state contributions to the English School’s annual grant. The move is framed by the party as a rejection of “confidence-building measures” which they claim undermine the Republic’s sovereignty.
The English School’s unique status
Unlike other private institutions, the English School is governed by a Board of Management appointed by the Council of Ministers. This direct link to the state makes its funding a matter of national policy rather than simple educational aid.
Following a 29-year hiatus caused by the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the school resumed its bicommunal mission in September 2003, readmitting Turkish Cypriot pupils as part of a broader push for reconciliation. Today, it remains one of the few places where Greek and Turkish Cypriot youth share classrooms.
Demands for migration defunding
In addition to its focus on education, ELAM has repeated its demands for the complete defunding of migration-related infrastructure and benefits. Key points of their proposal include:
- Asylum seeker benefits: The total cessation of all financial allowances for asylum seekers.
- Reception centres: Defunding the operation and construction of new migration facilities, including those planned for Limnes.
- Repatriation: ELAM maintains that the state should focus solely on “mass deportations” rather than the integration programmes currently supported by the government and the EU.
Political isolation of far-right proposals
Despite the party’s opposition, the amendments are expected to be rejected by the parliamentary majority. During the budget debate, leaders from across the political spectrum, including DISY and DIKO, reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the Republic’s international obligations and social stability.
House Speaker and DISY leader Annita Demetriou explicitly denied claims that parliament was adopting ELAM-backed migration proposals, stating that the budget’s focus remains on “responsible management” rather than the populist cuts suggested by the far-right. The Law Office has previously cautioned that removing scholarship funding solely based on ethnicity could invite discrimination lawsuits and complicate the Republic’s standing with the European Commission.
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