Monaco-based British-Cypriot billionare property developer John Christodoulou said on Tuesday that he was considering running in Cyprus’ 2028 presidential election after being approached by representatives of more than one political party. He said he expected to announce his final decision early next year.
In a statement issued in response to recent media reports and enquiries from journalists, Christodoulou said he had been asked repeatedly over the past few months whether he intended to stand for president. However, he stressed that he had not yet reached a decision and would give the matter careful consideration.
“I am not a politician. I have never wanted to become one,” he said, adding that a career in politics had never been part of his plans.
Nevertheless, he said he was deeply concerned about the country’s current situation, arguing that political decisions should not be driven solely by the pursuit of votes in the next election.
Christodoulou highlighted the rising cost of living and the growing gap between wages and everyday expenses. Through the work of his charitable foundation over the past decade, he said, he had witnessed the difficulties faced by families struggling to afford basic necessities.
He also raised concerns about homelessness and public safety, pointing to people sleeping on the streets and residents afraid to leave their homes because of violence in certain neighbourhoods, including his own area of Kaimakli.
Turning to the Cyprus problem, Christodoulou noted that 52 years after the Turkish invasion, the island remains divided. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are still unable to return to the homes they were forced to abandon, he said, while the mentality of “them over there, and us over here” continues to prevail.
He said he believed he could make a meaningful contribution, particularly in the areas of public security, the economy and social welfare.
However, Christodoulou added that he was also weighing the personal implications of entering politics, including the impact on his family and his life at this stage. He said he continued to ask himself whether he was ready to take such a different path.
He intends to take time to reflect on the decision and consult people whose judgement he trusts before making a final announcement.
