Would you vote as a non-Cypriot citizen?

The question is causing discussion: Should people who live permanently in Cyprus but do not have Cypriot citizenship be allowed to have a say in all elections?

In the parliamentary elections last Sunday, 378,150 citizens cast their votes. At the same time, however, there are around 243,000 foreign nationals living on the island who were not allowed to vote in these elections. 
According to current data, non-citizens make up around 24.8 percent of the population – one of the highest proportions within the European Union. 

While EU citizens in Cyprus are allowed to vote at least in local and European elections, nationals from non-EU countries have no right to vote at all. The question of whether this should change is increasingly controversial 

Many political parties have so far avoided a clear position. Critics argue that national elections should generally be reserved for citizens. They point out that citizenship has traditionally been the basis for political participation, 

but there are already examples of other models internationally. In countries like New Zealand, permanent residents are allowed to vote in national elections, regardless of their citizenship. Uruguay and Malawi also grant foreigners long-term residents the right to vote under certain conditions. Similar regulations exist in several countries for local elections. 

Proponents of an extension of the right to vote see this as an important step towards social integration. Anyone who pays taxes, works, runs companies or spends their retirement in the country for many years should also be able to influence political decisions. In addition, politicians could respond more strongly to the concerns of this population group. 

Opponents counter that national elections concern more than just administrative issues. It is about the future of the state, its identity and its long-term development. Many foreigners may only live in the country temporarily and therefore do not have the same ties to Cyprus as citizens. 

Nevertheless, the social reality in many European countries is changing. The population is becoming more international, and the proportion of permanent foreigners is growing steadily. This increasingly raises the question of how democratic participation should be shaped in modern immigration societies. 

One thing is certain: If Cyprus' approximately 243,000 foreign residents were to one day receive comprehensive voting rights, this could noticeably change the political landscape of the island. Whether this is seen as an opportunity or a risk remains the subject of debate, which is likely to become more important in the coming years. 

Source 
: Based on a commentary and analysis by Theo Panayides, published in the Cyprus Mail.