Nicos Anastasiades facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicos Anastasiades
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| Νίκος Αναστασιάδης | |
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Anastasiades in 2022
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| 7th President of Cyprus | |
| In office 28 February 2013 – 28 February 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Demetris Christofias |
| Succeeded by | Nikos Christodoulides |
| President of the Democratic Rally | |
| In office 8 June 1997 – 10 May 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Yiannakis Matsis |
| Succeeded by | Averof Neofytou |
| Member of the Cypriot House of Representatives | |
| In office 4 June 1981 – 27 February 2013 |
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| Constituency | Limassol |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 September 1946 Pera Pedi, Limassol District, British Cyprus (now Cyprus) |
| Political party | Democratic Rally (1976–present) Centre Union (before 1977) |
| Spouse |
Andri Moustakoudes
(m. 1971) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Athens University of London |
| Signature |  |
Nicos Anastasiades (Greek: Νίκος Αναστασιάδης; born 27 September 1946) is a Cypriot politician. He served as the seventh President of Cyprus from 2013 to 2023. Before becoming president, he led the Democratic Rally party from 1997 to 2013. He was also a Member of Parliament for Limassol from 1981 to 2013.
Anastasiades became president in 2013 during a tough economic time for Cyprus. He worked with international groups to get a financial rescue package. This meant making some difficult choices, like cutting public spending. However, his government also brought in new investments and increased the minimum wage, which helped the economy get better. He was re-elected in 2018.
During his time as president, Anastasiades worked on talks to reunite Cyprus. These talks were the most important since 2004, but they did not lead to an agreement. His government also had strong ties with Russia. They signed agreements to boost business and financial links. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, his government changed its approach and supported international actions against Russia.
Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Law Career
- Early Political Career
- Presidency
- Elections
- Economy
- Transition from Conscription to a Professional Military
- Cyprus Problem
- Foreign Policy
- Tripartite Regional Cooperation: Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt
- Tripartite Regional Cooperation: Cyprus, Greece, and Israel
- Tripartite Regional Cooperation: Cyprus, Greece, and Jordan
- Relations with Russia before Invasion of Ukraine
- Relations with Russia after Invasion of Ukraine
- Relations with Saudi Arabia
- COVID-19 Pandemic
- Personal and Family Life
- Distinctions
- Honours and Awards
- See also
Early Life and Education
Nicos Anastasiades was born on 27 September 1946 in Pera Pedi, a village in Cyprus. He studied law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Later, he continued his studies in shipping law at the University of London.
Law Career
Anastasiades is a lawyer. He started his own law firm called "Nicos Chr. Anastasiades & Partners." When he became president, he left the firm for his two daughters and their partners to manage.
Early Political Career
Anastasiades first became a member of the House of Representatives in 1981. He stayed an MP until 2013, when he became president. He was also the leader of his political party, the Democratic Rally, for 16 years, from 1997 to 2013.
Presidency
Elections
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In March 2012, Nicos Anastasiades was chosen to run for president in the 2013 Cypriot presidential election. He won the first round of the election with 45% of the votes. In the second round, he won with 57.48% of the votes and became president on 28 February 2013.
He won again in the 2018 Cypriot presidential election, beating his opponent for a second time.
Economy
Banking Bail-out
When Anastasiades became president in 2013, Cyprus was facing a big economic crisis. The country had a large budget problem, and its banks were in trouble.
He worked with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to get a rescue package. This deal helped save Cyprus's main banks and stop the country from going bankrupt. The agreement meant that some large bank accounts had to contribute to the rescue. Anastasiades said this was a very difficult choice, but it was necessary to prevent a disaster for Cyprus.
Despite the challenges, his government managed the situation well. Cyprus was able to finish the rescue program in 2016. The economy grew strongly from 2018 to 2022. The government also reduced the national debt and paid back its loan to the IMF early.
Closure of Cyprus Popular Bank
As part of the financial rescue plan, Cyprus Popular Bank, which was the second-largest bank in Cyprus, had to close. Money in accounts under 100,000 euros was moved to the Bank of Cyprus. Larger accounts and bad loans stayed in the closing bank, causing losses for some investors.
The Bank of Cyprus then took over the good parts of Cyprus Popular Bank. This closure was a sad moment for Cyprus, as the bank had been around for 112 years. It affected many workers and changed the banking system in the country.
Closure of Cyprus Airways
On 9 January 2015, Cyprus Airways, the national airline of Cyprus for 67 years, closed down. This happened after the European Commission ruled that money the airline received from the government was illegal state aid.
President Anastasiades was sad about the closure. He promised to help the 560 employees who lost their jobs. He also said the government would support a new airline. In 2016, a new company, Charlie Airlines Ltd, won the right to use the Cyprus Airways name. This helped bring back the historic airline.
Today, the new Cyprus Airways flies to many airports. It helps connect Cyprus to the world and supports the island's economy.
Closure of Cyprus Cooperative Bank
Nicos Anastasiades also faced challenges with the closure of the Cyprus Cooperative Bank (CCB). The bank had many loans that were not being paid back. Even after getting a lot of money from the government in 2014 and 2015, the bank was still in trouble.
In 2018, the European Central Bank decided that CCB had to close. Its good parts were sold to Hellenic Bank, and the bad loans went to a new company. This closure caused a lot of discussion. People looked into why the bank failed, pointing to problems with how it was managed.
Minimum Wage Implementation
President Anastasiades made a big change by introducing a minimum wage in Cyprus. Before this, there was no set minimum wage. He held meetings with workers' unions and employer groups to discuss the new wage.
There were some disagreements between unions and employers, especially about how the minimum wage would connect to working hours. However, the government worked to solve these issues. The new minimum wage started on 1 January 2023. It set a monthly wage of €940 for full-time work. This change helped about 40,000 low-wage workers in Cyprus.
Public Spending
To get financial help, Anastasiades promised to make some big changes. He agreed to cut social benefits, pensions, and wages in public and private jobs. He also increased taxes on things like VAT and fuel. In addition, he decided to reduce the number of government workers.
Transition from Conscription to a Professional Military
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During his election campaign in 2013, Anastasiades promised to shorten military service in Cyprus. He wanted to reduce it to 14 months. This was meant to encourage more young people to serve and to save money for the government.
In August 2013, the Minister of Defence announced that military service would first be cut to 18 months. Then, it would go down to 14 months by the end of 2014. In February 2016, the government officially decided to reduce military service to 18 months for those who joined in summer 2015. For those joining after that, it would be 14 months.
To make up for the shorter service, President Anastasiades introduced "contracted soldiers." These soldiers help cover the needs of the Cypriot National Guard. This idea has been seen as a success.
Cyprus Problem
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Anastasiades supported a plan to reunite Cyprus, called the Annan Plan. However, most of his own party voted against it. Peace talks between Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader began in October 2013. These talks got attention from international media and leaders like Barack Obama.
Mont Pèlerin Talks
In November 2016, Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı met in Switzerland for talks about the Cyprus problem. These talks were supported by the United Nations. They made some progress, especially on land issues. However, the talks ended because they could not agree on how much land each side would get.
Anastasiades decided to go back to Cyprus for more discussions, especially with the Greek government. Akıncı wanted to keep talking without a break. They could not agree on this, and the Greek Cypriot team left the talks.
Crans-Montana Talks
The Crans-Montana talks happened in Switzerland in 2017. Anastasiades and Akıncı, along with leaders from Greece, Turkey, the U.K., the UN, and the EU, discussed reuniting Cyprus. Many people hoped these talks would solve the long-standing dispute.
The talks faced a big problem with a proposal from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. There was confusion about what was agreed upon in a meeting on 4 July. Anastasiades said the notes from that meeting were the official record. He argued that without these notes, the Guterres proposal could not be used for future talks. The Turkish Cypriot side disagreed. This disagreement over the meeting notes helped lead to the talks breaking down.
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The Guterres Framework had important ideas for a solution. It suggested equal political power for both sides, with a rotating presidency. It also proposed changes to land areas and ways to deal with property issues. The framework aimed for free movement of goods and people. For security, it suggested replacing old guarantees with new monitoring systems and slowly reducing troops.
Further Developments
In October 2022, Anastasiades criticized the European Union. He said the EU had "double standards" towards Turkey. He argued that the EU should not let its interests come before its values. He compared it to how the EU was helping Ukraine against an invasion, saying it should apply the same principles to Turkey.
Foreign Policy
Tripartite Regional Cooperation: Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt
On 8 November 2014, Anastasiades met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Cairo. This was the first meeting between the three countries. They agreed to work together for peace and stability in their region. These three-way meetings became a regular event during Anastasiades' presidency.
Tripartite Regional Cooperation: Cyprus, Greece, and Israel
The first meeting between Cyprus, Israel, and Greece happened on 28 January 2016, in Nicosia. They signed a statement to work together in many areas. The United States also joined some of these later meetings.
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President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the University of Cyprus on 8 July 2021, announces approval and funding of €100 million for EuroAsia Interconnector out of the Cyprus RRP programme.
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On 2 January 2020, Anastasiades' government signed a deal with Greece and Israel. They planned to build a long undersea pipeline, called the EastMed project. This pipeline would carry natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe. However, this project was later stopped, partly because the U.S. withdrew its support.
On 8 March 2021, Cyprus, Israel, and Greece signed an agreement for the EuroAsia Interconnector. This project is the world's longest undersea power cable. It will connect the electricity grids of Israel, Cyprus, and Crete in Greece. This cable will help make Europe's energy supply more secure. The European Commission approved funding for this project.
Anastasiades received the Presidential Medal of Honor from the Israeli President. This award recognized him as a strong friend and ally of Israel.
Tripartite Regional Cooperation: Cyprus, Greece, and Jordan
On 16 January 2018, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Greek Prime Minister met in Nicosia. They formed a new partnership between Cyprus, Greece, and Jordan. They signed agreements in many areas, including defense. This included plans for military exercises and training for their air forces, navies, and special forces.
Relations with Russia before Invasion of Ukraine
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Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Anastasiades' government had close ties with Russia. Both Anastasiades and Vladimir Putin were proud of this. In 2015, Putin noted that Russia had invested a lot in Cyprus. He also said that many Russians visited Cyprus. Putin promised Russia would help Cyprus recover from its financial crisis.
Anastasiades and Putin discussed working together more on military matters. This included allowing Russian ships and planes to use Cypriot ports and airfields in emergencies. Anastasiades also accepted an invitation to a World War II victory celebration in Moscow.
The close relationship between Russia and Cyprus was often highlighted. Putin mentioned a big increase in trade with Cyprus. Anastasiades thanked Russia for its long-standing support. He believed Russia could help solve the Cyprus problem, especially because Russia and Turkey had good relations.
After the financial crisis, the city of Limassol saw a huge building boom. This was largely due to Russian investors. Many Russians moved to Limassol, making it a hub for Russian people and businesses. The city's skyline changed with many new tall buildings.
Relations with Russia after Invasion of Ukraine
After Russia invaded Ukraine, Anastasiades' government changed its view on Russia. Anastasiades condemned Russia's actions. He said Cyprus was against any actions that violated another country's independence. He explained that while Russia had supported Cyprus in the past, its recent actions broke international law.
Anastasiades said Cyprus stood with Ukraine. He compared Ukraine's situation to Cyprus's own history of invasion. His government supported EU sanctions against Russia. However, he also warned that these sanctions should not hurt EU countries too much.
The Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia's "traditional friends Greece and Cyprus" were too quick to take a stance against Russia. Anastasiades replied that Russia's actions forced Cyprus to follow the European Union's decisions. This meant Cyprus had no choice but to join the EU sanctions.
The economy of Limassol faced challenges as Russian investors left and their bank accounts were frozen. Many Cypriot companies that worked with Russians closed down. The tourism sector, which relied on Russian visitors, was also affected. Despite these problems, Limassol's economy showed strength in 2023.
The United States asked Anastasiades' government to deal with issues related to Russian individuals. In return, the U.S. lifted its ban on arms sales to Cyprus. As a result, American military forces took part in joint exercises with the Cypriot National Guard.
Relations with Saudi Arabia
On 3 January 2018, Anastasiades made the first official visit by a Cypriot President to Saudi Arabia. He was invited by King Salman. Both leaders agreed on the need to improve relations between the European Union and Gulf countries. They also stressed the importance of fighting religious extremism. Many agreements were signed, including one to avoid double taxation.
Anastasiades and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in Riyadh on 1 March 2022. They agreed to make their countries' ties stronger. They talked about tourism, connections, and investment opportunities. They also discussed global issues like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Cyprus problem. Both leaders wanted to make their relationship very strong.
COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 9, 2020, Cyprus reported its first two cases of COVID-19. This caused some worry among people. As the number of cases grew, Anastasiades' government put in place strict social restrictions. This was part of a worldwide effort to slow down the virus.
Lockdowns
To stop the spread of COVID-19, Anastasiades' government put the first full lockdown in place from March 24 to April 13, 2020. People's movement was limited. To go out for important reasons, people needed a special form or could send an SMS.
Starting November 30, 2020, a new partial lockdown began with a night curfew. Businesses had new rules, and gyms and pools closed for two weeks. Gatherings at home were limited to 10 people. These rules were made stricter in December, closing more places and banning Christmas church attendance.
A second full lockdown started on January 10, 2021. This happened because the earlier rules did not stop the virus from spreading. Many businesses closed, and people could only leave their homes twice a day for essential activities. Schools moved to online learning.
Another partial lockdown was put in place from April 26 to May 9, 2021. This was during a third wave of COVID-19 cases. It included encouraging remote work, closing non-essential shops, and a stricter curfew. After May 9, people needed a negative COVID-19 rapid test, proof of vaccination, or recent recovery to gather.
SafePass Implementation
On May 10, 2021, Anastasiades' government introduced the SafePass. People in Cyprus needed to show proof of COVID-19 immunity (like a vaccination certificate or recent recovery) or a negative rapid test result to enter crowded places. Police or government departments were responsible for checking these.
On May 15, 2022, the SafePass was no longer required. This happened because the number of cases and hospitalizations had gone down a lot.
Travel Restrictions
On March 13, 2020, Nicos Anastasiades announced a 15-day border closure. This started on March 15, 2020, to stop the virus from spreading. Only Cypriots, Europeans working on the island, and those with special permits could enter.
Cyprus slowly reopened its borders starting June 9, 2020. They allowed visitors from certain countries first. Anastasiades' government even offered to pay travel costs for visitors who tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving. However, despite these efforts, tourist arrivals in 2020 dropped by 85%.
On 14 February 2021, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel agreed to allow free travel for citizens with COVID-19 vaccination certificates. This was seen as a test for other countries. This agreement helped the country's economy. It started on April 1, 2021.
On June 1, 2022, Anastasiades' government lifted all COVID-19 travel rules. People arriving in Cyprus no longer needed to show vaccination proof or negative tests. Mask rules in indoor places were also removed. This meant travel was returning to normal.
Testing and Vaccination Campaign
On November 8, 2020, Anastasiades' government started a free rapid testing program for everyone. This helped check how much the virus was spreading. A month later, on December 27, 2020, Cyprus began its COVID-19 vaccination program, starting with older people. Nicos Anastasiades also asked Israel for more vaccines.
On January 28, 2021, a rule was made that employees needed a mandatory weekly rapid test.
In April 2021, Cyprus was a leader in the EU for COVID-19 testing. It also had one of the lowest rates of positive tests and deaths.
On August 1, 2021, the government stopped providing free rapid tests for unvaccinated people, with some exceptions. These exceptions included children, adults who could not get vaccinated for medical reasons, and pregnant women. Unvaccinated citizens who did not fit these exceptions had to pay for their own tests to get a SafePass.
Addressing Prison Overcrowding
On March 27, 2020, Anastasiades announced that 50 prisoners would be released. This was due to worries about overcrowding in Nicosia prison, which could lead to the virus spreading quickly. The prison was designed for 540 inmates but had 820. Only non-violent prisoners were released.
On March 31, 2020, the government approved more steps to ease overcrowding. These included early releases and transfers. In total, 114 prisoners were released.
Stranded Cruise Ships
During the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anastasiades' government allowed six cruise ships to stay in Cypriot waters. These ships, like Carnival's "Enchanted Princess," used Cyprus for refuelling and anchoring for several months.
This helped Cyprus economically, bringing in €120,000 each month in fees. This provided some relief during a time when tourism was very low.
Protests
On March 7, 2020, people protested at the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia. They wanted it reopened. Authorities had closed four of the nine crossings on the divided island for public health reasons due to COVID-19. This was the first time crossings had been closed since 2003. The government planned to review the closures.
On February 13, 2021, there were clashes between police and protesters in Nicosia. People were angry about government corruption and COVID-19 restrictions. Police used tear gas and water cannons. At least eight people were arrested.
On 18 July 2021, protesters against COVID-19 measures and vaccines attacked Sigma TV, a TV station in Nicosia. This happened after a larger protest outside the presidential palace. About 2,500 protesters threw fireworks and damaged cars. President Nicos Anastasiades condemned the violence. Five people were arrested, and police looked for 10 more suspects.
In November and December 2021, more protests happened. These were sparked by stricter COVID rules in schools, like mandatory masks and SafePass for children as young as six. In Limassol, parents clashed with police, blocking traffic.
Aftermath
Despite protests and criticism, Anastasiades' COVID-19 response was successful. Cyprus ranked fifth globally in a COVID Performance Index of 98 nations. It was the highest-ranked European country. This ranking looked at cases, deaths, and testing. Cyprus was good at controlling the virus, partly because of its smaller population and quick actions.
During the pandemic, Cyprus's businesses also showed great strength. The government helped businesses, and there were good regulations. Foreign investments continued, and the real estate market did well. Cyprus managed to keep its economy growing by changing and modernizing its markets.
In 2022, the Cypriot economy grew by 5.6%, which was better than expected. This growth was helped by tourism recovery and more connections. However, inflation increased, affecting people's buying power. The government reduced its public debt and unemployment went down. The government's budget for 2023 had a surplus. Important achievements in 2022 included the new national minimum wage and a pension plan for some public workers.
Personal and Family Life
Anastasiades married Andri Moustakoudes in 1971. They have two daughters, Elsa and Ino. His daughters are now listed as owners of the law firm Anastasiades founded. He also has a twin brother and a sister.
Distinctions
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- First Vice-president of the delegation of the House to the EU-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
- Leader of the delegation of the House to the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) since 2008.
- Leader of the delegation of the House to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM).
- Leader of the delegation of the House to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean since 2010.
- Vice-president of the executive committee of the Cyprus Group to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
- Member of the delegation of the House to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and of the delegation of the House to the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA).
Honours and Awards
- Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Orthodox Crusaders of the Holy Sepulchre (7 May 2013)
Panama: Collar of the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero (23 July 2013)
Bahrain: Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (9 March 2015)
Greece: Grand Collar of the Order of the Redeemer (30 March 2015)
Egypt: Grand Collar of the Order of the Nile (20 November 2017)- Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Mark (1 May 2018)
Serbia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Republic of Serbia (10 May 2018)- Serbian Orthodox Church: Order of St. Sava (10 May 2018)
Slovenia: Order for Exceptional Merits (9 January 2019)
Poland: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Eagle (4 October 2021)
Georgia: Order of the Golden Fleece (9 November 2021)
Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance (17 December 2021)
Holy See: Grand Collar of the Order of Pope Pius IX (25 October 2022)
Israel: President's Medal (10 November 2022)
See also
In Spanish: Níkos Anastasiádis para niños
- European People's Party
- Reduction of military conscription in Cyprus
