Cypriot nationalism


Cypriot nationalism, also known as Cypriotism, refers to one of the nationalisms of Cyprus. It focuses on the shared identity of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, highlighting their common culture, heritage, traditions, and economic, political, and social rights. Cypriot nationalism, as a form of civic nationalism, supports the peaceful reunification of Cyprus and the end of interference of external powers in its domestic affairs. Some Cypriotists advocate a federal state, while others express a preference for a unitary state instead.
On the level of practical politics, Cypriotism is generally associated with the Left in both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities; there are smaller liberal groups and civil society activists who also support Cypriotism, but they do not have much influence in political affairs. The most important political parties supporting a Cypriot nationalist agenda are the Progressive Party of Working People among Greek Cypriots and the Republican Turkish Party among Turkish Cypriots. Not all leftists advocate Cypriotism; for example, the Movement for Social Democracy combines a left-wing economic agenda with a Greek Cypriot nationalist approach to the Cyprus problem.

Development and support

During 1930's, Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities began outspokenly criticizing the British presence in the island. The Governor Richmond Palmer was one of the people who used the term of "Cypriot nationalism" in his report dated 23 October 1936, while explaining the situation to London by mentioning:
With the rise of the internationalist ideas of both liberalism and the political Left, variants of a Cypriot identity began to be cultivated and espoused by native Cypriot political groups, most notably the Progressive Party of Working People, the liberal United Democrats and organisations like the Union of Cypriots. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which followed a coup d’état in Cyprus ordered by the military junta in Greece, led to a revival of Cypriot nationalism.

Opposition to Cypriotism

Cypriotism is strongly opposed by both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot nationalists.
Among Greek Cypriots identifying as Greeks above all else, the central political slogan has always been "Cyprus is Greek". Political parties such as DIKO, EDEK and the Greek nationalist wing of DISY, as well as the Church of Cyprus, dismiss Cypriotism as a betrayal of Greek history and identity, and a sell-out to foreign interests who wish for Cyprus to submit to Turkish aggression.
Among Turkish Cypriots, the idea of Cypriotism was vociferously rejected by the long-serving Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş, who believed that "in Cyprus there are Greeks and Turks", and that "the only true Cypriot is the Cyprus donkey". Accordingly, UBP, the political party founded by him, believes that Cypriot nationalism is a Greek ploy to subjugate and assimilate Turkish Cypriots.

Adoption of aspects of Cypriotism by some Greek Cypriot nationalists

President Tassos Papadopoulos, generally seen as a Greek nationalist, can be said to have adopted a strategy of Cypriot nationalism by which he offered individual benefits to Turkish Cypriots while at the same time maintaining a very hard line towards the breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration. Thus Papadopoulos hoped to cultivate an allegiance to the Government of Cyprus among some Turkish Cypriots, and exacerbate the already existing tensions between the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish settlers in Northern Cyprus.