Εθνικό Λαϊκό Μέτωπο (ELAM – National Popular Front)
EU RANK: 191 (Tier 5: High Risk)
ELAM is a far‑right, ultranationalist party inspired historically by Greek extremist movements, promoting anti‑immigrant, anti‑Turkish, anti‑communist and socially conservative positions. It has gained parliamentary representation and local presence, influencing the agenda of mainstream parties on migration and identity issues despite its relatively small vote share.
Disinformation and alternative media
ELAM operates within a dense ecosystem of far‑right websites, social‑media pages and sympathetic online channels that disseminate inflammatory content about migrants, Turkish‑Cypriots, LGBTQ+ people and political opponents. Its communication frequently includes conspiracy theories about global elites, NGOs, “Islamisation” and alleged traitors within the political establishment.
Our research and comparative disinformation studies identify networks ideologically close to ELAM as major sources of hate speech and misleading claims, including false stories about crime and migration statistics and distorted portrayals of bicommunal initiatives. Disinformation/alternative‑media DMI risk is high.
Foreign influence and external alignments
ELAM is strongly nationalist and anti‑Turkish, publicly supportive of Greece and critical of EU compromises; it has expressed admiration for other European far‑right movements. It is Eurosceptic on migration and sovereignty but benefits from EU parliamentary platforms through ideological allies.
There is no conclusive public evidence of direct Russian or other authoritarian state financing, but its narratives often align with broader pro‑Kremlin and anti‑liberal messaging in Europe, especially on migration, traditional values and distrust of Western institutions. Foreign‑influence DMI risk is medium–high.
Media capture, advertising and public service media
ELAM lacks sustained control over government or major public companies and therefore has limited capacity to capture mainstream media structurally. However, economic boycotts, pressure campaigns and mobilisation of supporters are used to intimidate outlets and push them into providing airtime or moderating criticism.
Its main influence lies in shifting the Overton window: by forcing mainstream parties and broadcasters to respond to its talking points, it indirectly shapes agendas without owning major outlets. Media‑capture DMI risk is medium.
Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity
Litigation documents record several legal cases involving ELAM activists and supporters, including charges related to hate crimes, violent incidents and public‑order offences. While classic financial corruption is less central given its limited access to state resources, its acceptance of or failure to distance itself clearly from violent behaviour undermines institutional integrity and the rule of law.
The party’s ideology questions core democratic norms, particularly minority rights and checks and balances, signalling high systemic‑integrity risk despite fewer financial scandals.
Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media
ELAM leaders and activists routinely attack journalists and outlets they deem “anti‑Hellenic” or “pro‑Turkish”, both online and during street actions. Our research notes incidents of intimidation against reporters covering anti‑immigrant protests and far‑right rallies, as well as coordinated online harassment campaigns from ELAM‑linked communities.
Although ELAM does not control regulatory bodies, its aggressive tactics create a chilling effect, especially in local contexts where police protection or political backing for journalists may be weak. Press‑freedom and harassment DMI risk is high.