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Cyprus Political Dynamics
The politics of Cyprus have gradually evolved from the
shadow
of the dominant figure of Makarios, who embodied the
struggle for
independence from Britain and enosis with Greece. After
independence was achieved without enosis, Makarios's own
thinking
changed, and Cypriot politics struggled with its internal
ghost--
enosis. Makarios became persuaded that true national
independence
for Cyprus had advantages, and Greek political trends by
the mid1960s convinced him that Cyprus had a destiny distinct
from that of
Greece. The Greek Cypriot population did not let go of the
dream of
enosis as quickly, and pro-enosis forces eventually turned
on
Makarios, leading to the 1974 coup
(see
Conflict Within the Greek Cypriot Community, 1967-74
, ch. 5).
While the drive for enosis subsided as a mobilizing
force, the
difficulties of creating a nation out of a bifurcated
society took
center stage. Makarios failed to draw the Greek and
Turkish Cypriot
communities together, but, helped by his unusual position
and
special gifts, he created a consensus among Greek
Cypriots.
Although the authority of the Church of Cyprus diminished
with the
rise of new secular institutions, Makarios, as its head,
Hellenism
and, as elected president, had legitimate political
authority.
Coupled with these advantages were an extraordinary
charisma and a
mastery of diplomacy that his adversaries saw as
deviousness and
duplicity. By the time of the 1974 coup, however, it was
clear that
Makarios's total domination of Cypriot politics was coming
to an
end. From July to December 1974, Makarios was out of the
country,
and the government of the truncated republic was run
competently by
Glafkos Clerides. Makarios and Clerides then competed as
heads of
rival political groups, with the differences between them
focused
on the intercommunal process. Makarios reportedly welcomed
this
competition as a sign of growing Cypriot political
maturity.
After Makarios's death in 1977, Kyprianou succeeded to
the
presidency, and Clerides continued as the principal
opposition
leader. The two men differed, among other things, over how
to deal
with the intercommunal talks.
Sharing the stage with Kyprianou were several other
major
figures, including Archbishop Chrysostomos, who had
succeeded
Makarios as head of the Church of Cyprus. Although the
archbishop
traveled the world meeting with overseas Greeks,
Chrysostomos's
personal political impact was judged by many to be far
less
significant than that of Makarios or that of the church as
a whole.
Kyprianou was in many ways typical of the centrist,
noncontroversial political figures who often follow
charismatic
leaders. He sought to preserve the Makarios legacy and
pursue
policies that would further Makarios's goals. But
Kyprianou did
policies that would further Makarios's goals. But
Kyraianou did not
have the tactical dexterity or diplomatic skill of
Makarios, and he
became associated with an approach to the settlement
process that
preserved the status quo, rather than displaying the
openness and
initiative that characterized Makarios at the end of his
life. The
Kyprianou presidency, by the late 1980s, was considered
weak and
passive, unable to break the stalemate in the settlement
process
and losing respect at home. At the same time, Kyprianou's
less
authoritative style did allow more competition in Greek
Cypriot
politics, permitting independents and other party leaders
to
contest presidential elections with greater prospects for
success.
Data as of January 1991
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