Background On 18 September 2024,
Odysseas Michaelides was dismissed from his position as Auditor General by Supreme Constitutional Court on charges of misconduct. Michaelides held the post for 10 years and became a controversial figure in Cypriot politics, repeatedly clashing with government officials. Michaelides himself accused ex-
President Nicos Anastasiades and current President
Nikos Christodoulides of staying behind his removal. Michaelides' resignation was criticized by Cypriot parties such as
AKEL,
KOSP,
DIKO, and
Volt, who characterized him as an official who exposed corruption and advocated for transparency.
Founding Several months after his removal, on Monday, 19 May 2025, Michaelides launched his party, ALMA – Citizens for Cyprus. It was established to contest the
2026 Cypriot legislative election and has presented itself as a long-term reform movement. The party's name, which translates as "leap," is also an acronym for Greek words meaning Dignity, Accountability, Reform, and Development. At the party's launch in
Nicosia, Michaelides was accompanied by eight of his associates, including former Rector of the
University of Cyprus , who ran in the
2023 presidential election and finished sixth with 1.59% of the vote. == Ideology ==