ELAM (Cyprus)

National Popular Front

Εθνικό Λαϊκό Μέτωπο

Abbreviation| ELAM
ΕΛΑΜ
Leader| Christos Christou
Founded| 2008
Headquarters| Nicosia, Cyprus
Youth wing| Youth Front
Women's wing| Women's Front
Ideology|

* Ultranationalism[1]
* Neo-fascism[2]

Political position| Far-right[3][4][5]
European affiliation| European Conservatives and Reformists Party (cooperation)
Colours|  Black  Blue  White
House of Representatives|

4 / 56

European Parliament|

0 / 6

Municipal Councils|

7 / 478

Party flag
Website
www.elamcy.com

The National Popular Front (also known as the National People's Front; Greek: Εθνικό Λαϊκό Μέτωπο (ΕΛΑΜ), Ethniko Laiko Metopo (ELAM)) is a far-right,[6][7] ultranationalist movement (and later, political party), founded in 2008 in the Republic of Cyprus. It describes its ideology as "popular and social nationalism". As of May 2011, it has been approved as a legal political party.[8][9] ELAM is a Eurosceptic political party which also praises Greek former dictator Ioannis Metaxas.[10][11][12]

## Contents

* 1 Background
* 2 Program
* 2.1 Past connections with Golden Dawn
* 3 Violence involving ELAM
* 4 Electoral results
* 4.1 President of Cyprus
* 4.2 House of Representatives
* 4.3 European Parliament
* 5 References
* 6 Further reading

## Background

Prior to the official formation of the National Popular Front, the organisation existed under the name "Golden Dawn: Cypriot Kernel".[4] The kernel was established in late 2000,[4][13] and was led by the current ELAM president Christos Christou, who was an active member of the Golden Dawn political party in Greece.[14][15] The kernel attempted to register as a political party with the same name, but the name was rejected by the state's authorities, resulting in the use of the name "National Popular Front" as an alternative.[16]

## Program

The party's 2011 manifesto proclaims that the party promotes a strict anti-federalist line concerning the Cyprus dispute, a zero-toleration anti-immigration policy concerning illegal immigration, a strict Greek-centered public education to counter the "slavery of globalization"; and an energy policy that would take full advantage of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone.[17]

In 2019, The Party submitted a bill seeking to impose a ban on all Muslim headgear in public spaces, including schools.[18]

The party's MPs walked out on a parliamentary moment of silence for the more than 500 dead refugees from the 2023 Messenia migrant boat disaster which happened close to Cyprus' waters. The party stated that the moment of silence was "political exploitation" and "The aim is so that society will feel guilty for a crime committed by traffickers."[19]

The party claims to be influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche, Johann Gottfried Herder and Julius Evola.[20] Ideologically, it belongs to the neo-fascist or nationalist-revolutionary currents, and is internationally close to the NPD in Germany ,[21] the GUD in France and Golden Dawn in Greece.[20] Lately, ELAM established ties to Brothers of Italy and the European Conservatives and Reformists group.[22]

### Past connections with Golden Dawn

ELAM had been openly connected with Greek far-right political party Golden Dawn, which it described in the past as a "brother movement".[8] Members and supporters of ELAM celebrated in the streets after the Greek legislative electoral results of May 2012, which gave Golden Dawn representation in the Greek parliament for the first time.[8][23] The party officially congratulated the leader of Golden Dawn, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, for their electoral success.[24][25] ELAM's anti-occupation march against the ongoing Turkish occupation that was held on 20 July 2012 at Ledra Palace was also attended by Golden Dawn MP Polibios Zisimopoulos, who was invited by ELAM and gave a speech concerning the Greek economic crisis and the Turkish occupation of Cyprus.[26] In late December of 2012, ELAM announced its candidate Georgios Charalambous; for the upcoming presidential elections; in the presence of two notable members of Golden Dawn, Giannis Lagos and Ilias Kasidiaris.[27] It was reported that in the presentation Ilias Kasidiaris stated that "ELAM and Golden Dawn are not simply brother parties" and that "ELAM is the Golden Dawn of Cyprus".[28]

In October 2013 Greek Golden Dawn MPs Ilias Kasidiaris and Artemis Matheopoulos stated that ELAM is being financed by Golden Dawn.[29][30] In June 2020, ELAM explained it had officially cut ties with Golden Dawn, after the party lost their parliamentary representation in the 2019 election.[31] Its leader, Christos Christou, cited that the party was following its own strategy, acting independently.[31] Regardless, western media such as The Guardian as well as Turkish media such as TRT World still describe the party as linked to Golden Dawn and as neo-Nazis.[32][33]

## Violence involving ELAM

The party has been the subject of controversy in the Cypriot media and the broader political scene. It has been repeatedly accused of promoting racism and being involved in acts of violence. In July 2010, it was reported that after the condemnation ceremonies against the Turkish invasion of 1974 on 20 July, people with ELAM T-shirts attacked a Nigerian man in Makariou street in Nicosia.[34] On 19 March 2011, eyewitnesses reported that members of ELAM beat up a lottery seller in Lidras street in Nicosia after a disagreement in political views.[35] Furthermore, it was reported that eight ELAM members, one of which ranked as a second lieutenant in the Cypriot National Guard, were arrested by the police in connection to an attack against university students during the student elections of the University of Nicosia on 6 December 2011.[36] In addition, local newspaper Haravgi reported that on 11 May 2012, a second lieutenant was found training ELAM members in shooting mortars in a National Guard's shooting ground.[37][38][39] The Ministry of Defense confirmed that an officer had been charged for calling a non-authorized person for shooting in a shooting ground, but specified that it was a rifle shooting. The Ministry made no comment on possible political connections to the incident.[40]

On 26 March 2014, ELAM members attempted to interrupt and stop a reunification conference in Limassol, in which one of the speakers was the Turkish Cypriot politician Mehmet Ali Talat.[41] It was reported that members of ELAM broke through the police lines, broke a window and threw a flare in the conference hall,[41][42] while a Turkish Cypriot journalist was slightly injured.[43] ELAM was protesting against the presence of Mehmet Ali Talat in the conference, calling him a "war criminal".[43]

ELAM has officially opposed its association with the incidents mentioned, stating that no ELAM members have been convicted for the specific crimes that its members have been accused of. It further accused the media and other organisations for intentionally connecting the movement with the incidents, in order to damage its public image.[44][45]

## Electoral results

### President of Cyprus

Election  | Round 1  | Candidate  | Win

|
|
|

#  | %  | Rank
2013  | 3,899  | 0.88  | 4th  | Georgios Charalampous  |
2018  | 21,846  | 5.65  | 4th  | Christos Christou  |
2023  | 23,988  | 6.04  | 4th  | Christos Christou  |

### House of Representatives

Election  | Votes  | Seats

|
|

#  | %  | Rank  | #  | ±
2011  | 4,354  | 1.1  | 7th  | Template:Composition bar compact | new
2016  | 13,041  | 3.7  | 8th  | Template:Composition bar compact |  2
2021  | 24,255  | 6.8  | 4th  | Template:Composition bar compact |  2

### European Parliament

Election  | Votes  | Seats

|
|

#  | %  | Rank  | #  | ±
2009  | 663  | 0.2  | 9th  | Template:Composition bar compact | new
2014  | 6,957  | 2.7  | 7th  | Template:Composition bar compact |  0
2019  | 23,167  | 8.3  | 5th  | Template:Composition bar compact |  0

## References

1. ↑ ELAM has often been described as ultranationalist:
* Cyprus and the roadmap for peace - A critical interrogation of the conflict. p.87. Edited by Michalis S. Michael and Yucel Vural. Chapter authors - Yucel Vural, Sertac Sonan and Michalis S. Michael. Published by Edward Elgar Publishing in Cheltenham, UK. Published in 2018.
* "NDR Info Nachrichten vom 31.05.2021". Norddeutscher Rundfunk. 31 May 2021. https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/nachrichten313_con-21x05x31x03y55.html.
* "Parlamentswahl in Zypern - Konservative Regierungspartei als Favorit". Nau (website) (de). 30 May 2021. https://www.nau.ch/politik/international/parlamentswahl-in-zypern-konservative-regierungspartei-als-favorit-65937019.
* Miranda Christou (16 April 2021). "The remnants of Golden Dawn are winning support in Cyprus". openDemocracy. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/countering-radical-right/remnants-golden-dawn-are-winning-support-cyprus/.
* Nigel O'Connor (8 November 2013). "I Went to the Cypriot Golden Dawn's Fifth Birthday Party". Vice. https://www.vice.com/en/article/3b7ng9/the-cypriot-golden-dawn-just-celebrated-their-fifth-anniversary.
2. ↑ ELAM has often been described as neo-fascist:
* Ruth Wodak. Politik mit der Angst. Satzweiss.com. ISBN 9783902968616. https://books.google.com/books?id=oKkJEAAAQBAJ&dq=neonazi+ELAM+cyprus+Christou&pg=PT295.
* Britta Schellenberg (28 October 2018). "Rechtspopulismus im europäischen Vergleich – Kernelemente und Unterschiede". Federal Agency for Civic Education. https://www.bpb.de/themen/parteien/rechtspopulismus/240093/rechtspopulismus-im-europaeischen-vergleich-kernelemente-und-unterschiede/. "Ihre Einordnung als rechtsextremistisch und neofaschistisch bzw. neonazistisch ist laut dem Direktor des Prometheus Research Institute an der Universität Zypern, Yiannos Katsourides, unumstritten."
* Lenz Jacobsen (30 March 2013). "Zyperns Goldene Morgenröte marschiert". Die Zeit. https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2013-03/zypern-krise-demonstration. "Die Elam ist die neue radikale Rechte auf der Krisen-Insel: nationalsozialistisch, rassistisch und neo-nazistisch."
* Klaus Hillenbrand (3 September 2023). "Rechte Gewalt auf Zypern: Rechtsradikale greifen Migranten an". Die Tageszeitung. https://taz.de/Rechte-Gewalt-auf-Zypern/!5954932/. "Viele Zyprioten machen die neonazistische Partei Elam (Nationale Volksfront), eine Schwesterorganisation der verbotenen griechischen Partei „Goldene Morgenröte“, für die Eskalation der Gewalt verantwortlich."
3. ↑ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2016). "Cyprus". http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/cyprus.html.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Katsourides, Yiannos (December 2013). "Determinants of extreme right reappearance in Cyprus: The National Popular Front (ELAM), Golden Dawn's sister party". South European Society and Politics 18 (4): 567–589. doi:10.1080/13608746.2013.798893.
5. ↑ "Parties and Elections in Europe". http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/cyprus.html.
6. ↑ Samaras, Georgios (6 August 2021). "Cyprus: what is Elam, the far-right nationalist party seeking success after the demise of Golden Dawn?" (in en). http://theconversation.com/cyprus-what-is-elam-the-far-right-nationalist-party-seeking-success-after-the-demise-of-golden-dawn-165639.
7. ↑ Nikolaos, Prakas (February 5, 2023). "Slight rise for far-right Elam" (in en-GB). https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/02/05/slight-rise-for-far-right-elam/.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "ELAM seeks to echo Golden Dawn's success: Will Greek vote boost nationalism in Cyprus?". International Coordinating Committee "Justice for Cyprus" (PSEKA). 2012-05-13. http://news.pseka.net/index.php?module=article&id=12421.
9. ↑ "O Γενικός Εισαγγελέας ξεκαθάρισε τί εστί κόμμα". Sigma Live. 2 May 2011. http://www.sigmalive.com/ekloges2011/news/378497.
10. ↑ Πισώπλατη μαχαιριά της Ε.Ε στην Κύπρο! Ερντογάν: “Ανοίγει το 17 Κεφάλαιο των ενταξιακών”  , ELAM 30-11-2015
11. ↑ Η Ε.Ε. καραδοκεί για τον φυσικό μας πλούτο , ELAM 28-01-2016
12. ↑ "Αφιέρωμα: Ιωάννης Μεταξάς (1871-1941), εκείνος που είπε το "ΟΧΙ"" (in Greek). 27 October 2014. https://elamcy.com/afieroma-ioannis-metaksas-1871-1941-ekeinos-pou-eipe-to-ochi/.
13. ↑ "Danger from Golden Dawn (Κίνδυνος από τη "Χρυσή Αυγή")". Platform of Greek and Turkish Cypriot Teachers, "United Cyprus". 8 November 2003. http://platformaenomenikipros.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/blog-post_7831.html.
14. ↑ "ELAM: The Golden Dawn of Cyprus (ΕΛΑΜ: Η Χρυσή Αυγή της Κύπρου)". tvxs.gr. 8 November 2013. http://tvxs.gr/news/ellada/elam-i-xrysi-aygi-tis-kyproy.
15. ↑ "Cyprus: ELAM, Like Golden Dawn (ΚΥΠΡΟΣ: ΕΛΑΜ ΟΠΩΣ ΧΡΥΣΗ ΑΥΓΗ)". Iskra.gr. 5 January 2013. http://www.iskra.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10560:elam-xa-kypros-petros-kosmas-prin&catid=37:di-evropi&Itemid=172.
16. ↑ "Είμαστε η Χρυσή Αυγή της Κύπρου λέει το ΕΛΑΜ". 20 September 2013. http://www.philenews.com/el-gr/koinonia-eidiseis/160/162858/eimaste-i-chrysi-avgi-tis-kyprou-leei-to-elam-video.
17. ↑ "Δελτίο Τύπου - Βουλευτικές εκλογές 2011" (in el). 18 March 2011. http://ethnikolaikometwpo.blogspot.com/2011/03/2011_6364.html.
18. ↑ "Elam tables bill seeking ban on Muslim headgear in public spaces". Cyprus Mail. https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/09/17/elam-tables-bill-seeking-ban-on-muslim-headgear-in-public-spaces/.
19. ↑ Hazou, Elias. "Elam MPs reportedly walked out during minute silence for shipwreck victims". https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/06/15/elam-mps-reportedly-walked-out-during-minute-silence-for-shipwreck-victims/.
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Tristan Berteloot et Jean-Yves Camus (28 May 2019). "Européennes : tour d'Europe des droites eurosceptiques, populistes et radicales". https://oeilsurlefront.liberation.fr/les-idees/2019/05/21/europeennes-tour-d-europe-des-droites-eurosceptiques-populistes-et-radicales-12_1727407. .
21. ↑ German government (9 September 2011). "Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten Sevim Dağdelen, Heike Hänsel, Dr. Dietmar Bartsch, weiterer Abgeordneter und der Fraktion DIE LINKE.". https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/17/069/1706968.pdf.
22. ↑ "Ο διπλός στόχος, οι εντατικές διεργασίες και η αλλαγή δεδομένων στο ΕΛΑΜ". Reporter Cyprus. 27 December 2023. https://reporter.com.cy/article/2023/12/27/750099/o-diplos-stokhos-oi-entatikes-diergasies-kai-e-allage-dedomenon-sto-elam/.
23. ↑ "The Cypriot "Golden Dawn" Excuses Kasidiaris (Η κυπριακή "Χρυσή Αυγή" δικαιολογεί τον Κασιδιάρη)". Lifo.gr. 9 June 2012. http://www.lifo.gr/now/world/11344.
24. ↑ "Congratulations of ELAM to Golden Dawn (Συγχαρητήρια Ε.ΛΑ.Μ. προς Χρυσή Αυγή)". Sigma Live. 7 May 2012. http://www.sigmalive.com/news/politics/487573.
25. ↑ "Congratulations of ELAM towards Golden Dawn (Συγχαρητήρια Ε.ΛΑ.Μ σε Χρυσή Αυγή)". ANT1. 7 May 2012. http://www.ant1iwo.com/kypros/2012/05/07/sygxarhthria-e-la-m-se-xrysh-aygh/.
26. ↑ "Anti-occupation event 20/07/2012 - Speech by the Golden Dawn MP (Αντικατοχική 20/07/2012 - Ομιλία από τον βουλευτή της Χρυσής Αυγής)". National Popular Front. 26 July 2012. http://ethnikolaikometwpo.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/20072012.html.
27. ↑ "ELAM announces its candidate". Cyprus Mail. 1 January 2013. http://www.cyprus-mail.com/candidate/elam-announces-its-candidate/20130101.
28. ↑ "ELAM, as Golden Dawn (ΕΛΑΜ όπως Χρυσή Αυγή)". 6 January 2013. http://prin.gr/?p=561.
29. ↑ "Revelation: Golden Dawn Finances ELAM! This is what was stated by Kasidiaris and Matheopoulos! (Αποκάλυψη: Η Χρυσή Αυγή χρηματοδοτεί και το ΕΛΑΜ! Αυτό δήλωσαν Κασιδιάρης και Ματθαιόπουλος!)". 25 October 2013. http://www.tothemaonline.com/politiki/apokalupsi-gia-xrimatodotisi-tou-elam-apo-ti-xrusi-augi.
30. ↑ "AKEL: Golden Dawn Financed ELAM (ΑΚΕΛ: Η Χρυσή Αυγή χρηματοδοτούσε το ΕΛΑΜ)". Sofokleous In. 30 October 2013. http://www.sofokleousin.gr/archives/145831.html.
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "O Xρίστου εξηγεί: Γιατί το ΕΛΑΜ διέκοψε τις σχέσεις με την Χρυσή Αυγή (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ)" (in el). https://www.alphanews.live/politics/o-xristoy-exigei-giati-elam-diekopse-tis-sheseis-me-tin-hrysi-aygi-binteo.
32. ↑ "Cyprus election: far-right party linked to Greek neo-Nazis doubles vote share". https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/30/far-right-cyprus-election-parliament.
33. ↑ "Neo-Nazi party doubles vote share in Greek Cypriot elections". https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/neo-nazi-party-doubles-vote-share-in-greek-cypriot-elections-47136.
34. ↑ "Racism went out in the Streets (Ο ρατσιμός βγήκε στους δρόμους)". 2010-07-22. http://www.politis-news.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=201179&-V=articles.
35. ↑ ""We are Heating the Egg of the Snake" ("Ζεσταίνουμε το αβγό του φιδιού")". 2011-03-23. http://www.politis-news.com/cgibin/hweb?-A=206112&-V=articles.
36. ↑ "Eight Suspects, All Members of ELAM for the Attack at the University of Nicosia (Οκτώ ύποπτοι όλοι μέλη του ΕΛΑΜ για την επίθεση στο Πανεπιστήμιο Λευκωσίας)". Phileleftheros. 9 December 2011. http://www.philenews.com/el-gr/Eidiseis-Kypros/22/88581/okto-ypoptoi-oloi-meli-tou-elam.
37. ↑ "Αξιωματικός της Ε.Φ. φέρεται να εκπαίδευε ΕΛΑΜΙΤΕΣ". Sigma Live. 13 May 2012. http://www.sigmalive.com/news/local/489328.
38. ↑ "Ανθυπίλαρχος εκπαίδευε στα όπλα μέλη του ΕΛΑΜ". iKypros. 13 May 2012. http://www.ikypros.com/easyconsole.cfm/id/41992.
39. ↑ "Ανθυπίλαρχος εκπαίδευε στα όπλα μέλη του ΕΛΑΜ". Εμπροσθοφύλακας. 13 May 2012. http://www.efylakas.com/archives/12703.
40. ↑ "Επιβεβαιώνει τη "Χ" το Υπουργείο Αμυνας". Haravgi. 15 May 2012. http://www.haravgi.com.cy/site-article-21596-gr.php.
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Far right extremists disrupts reunification event". Cyprus Mail. 26 March 2014. http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/26/far-right-extremists-disrupts-reunification-event/.
42. ↑ "ELAM Members Threw a Lighted Torch at Talat in Limassol (Ελαμίτες έριξαν αναμμένο πυρσό στον Ταλάτ στη Λεμεσό)". Kathimerini. 26 March 2014. http://www.kathimerini.com.cy/index.php?pageaction=kat&modid=1&artid=166548.
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Επεισόδια σε εκδήλωση με ομιλητή τον Ταλάτ στη Λεμεσό". Sigma Live. 26 March 2014. http://www.sigmalive.com/news/local/112607.
44. ↑ ""ELAM has no Connection With the Attack at the University" ("Το ΕΛΑΜ δεν έχει καμία σχέση με την επίθεση στο Πανεπιστήμιο")". Sigma Live. 7 December 2011. http://www.sigmalive.com/news/local/444933.
45. ↑ "ELAM:"The article of Haravgi is Slanderus" (Ε.ΛΑ.Μ.:" Συκοφαντικό το δημοσίευμα της Χαραυγής")". Sigma Live. 14 May 2012. http://www.sigmalive.com/news/local/444933.

## Further reading

* Katsourides, Yiannos (December 2013). "Determinants of extreme right reappearance in Cyprus: The National Popular Front (ELAM), Golden Dawn's sister party". South European Society and Politics 18 (4): 567–589. doi:10.1080/13608746.2013.798893.

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