Horizontal Voting: Perhaps the Most Necessary Change

The discussion about horizontal voting in Cyprus is resurfacing, with the Citizens' Movement promoting it as a profound democratic reform. Horizontal voting allows voters to choose candidates from different parties, rather than being limited to a party list, transferring the power of choice from party mechanisms to the citizen. In the current system, the vote often operates as a package, forcing the voter to accept the entire party list, even if they disagree with some candidates. Horizontal voting encourages the evaluation of candidates based on their personal qualifications and positions, strengthening their accountability. Critics argue that horizontal voting will weaken parties, but supporters emphasize that it will force them to become more open, transparent, and qualitative. In a small country like Cyprus, where citizens know the candidates, horizontal voting can lead to a more direct and meaningful relationship between voter and elected official. Horizontal voting is considered to approach the spirit of democracy in ancient Athens, where citizens had the opportunity for direct participation and choice. This change could contribute to the revitalization of democracy in Cyprus and strengthen citizens' trust in the political system.