Federation acceptable to three-quarters of respondents. What does the survey really show?

75.3% of Greek Cypriots surveyed accept or would be willing to tolerate a bizonal, bicommunal federation. This is more than in the case of a unitary state. However, this result does not mean that three-quarters of respondents consider a federation to be the best solution to the Cyprus problem.

A University of Cyprus study shows openness to compromise, but also concerns about real estate and the future functioning of the state. At the same time, 82.8% of respondents opt for an active path to continue the peace process.

The federation overtakes the unitary state

In a survey conducted in July 2026, a bi-zonal and bi-community federation was accepted or tolerated 75.3 percent of respondentsFor the unitary state the corresponding result was 70.3 percent

According to the information presented when presenting the results, for the first time in previous studies the acceptability of a federation exceeded the acceptability of a unitary state.

However, the most important thing remains the importance of the answer. The result connects people who support a given solution with those who could accept it if necessary. This is not a declaration of a referendum vote on a specific agreement.

Respondents rated each option separately, so the same person could consider more than one solution acceptable.

One can tolerate division and consider it unfair.

Maintaining the current status quo is accepted or tolerated by 59.1% of respondents. However, this does not mean they are satisfied with the division of the island.

As many as 92.4 percent consider the status quo to be unfair. These responses do not have to be mutually exclusive: someone may negatively assess the current situation and at the same time declare their readiness to continue living in such conditions.

The outcome for a two-state solution requires similar caution. To say that "33.3% want two states" would be an oversimplification.

The majority wants further peace efforts

Together 82.8 percent of respondents has chosen one of the active paths to continue the peace process. However, preferences regarding how to proceed are divided.

Returning to the point where the talks in Crans-Montana ended, 38.7 percent Next 22.2 percent elected citizens' assemblies, and 21.9 percent phased or transitional implementation.

There were those opposed to resuming negotiations. 17.2 percent Therefore, the overall result of 82.8% cannot be equated with support for a return to one specific format of talks.

Real Estate and the Fear of Deadlock

The most frequently mentioned fear was that displaced people would not return to their properties – this was mentioned by 52.1 percent of respondentsThe risk of political deadlock or institutional failure has been highlighted 41.8 percent

The results show that it's not just the name of the future regime that matters. The practical rules for the agreement's operation and the way it resolves difficult issues are also crucial.

More than half of respondents — 51.7 percent — declared no contact with Turkish Cypriots. More frequent meetings were associated with greater acceptance of the federation. However, this is a correlation, not proof that contact itself causes a change of opinion.

Who was asked and when?

The online survey was conducted July 10–31, 2026 among adult Greek Cypriots living on the islandThe final sample included 824 responses, with results weighted based on age, gender, and district of residence.

The results were presented at an event at the University of Cyprus on October 28. Therefore, it is not a November survey, nor is it a survey representative of both communities combined.

The study indicates room for compromise. However, it does not prejudge the outcome of a future referendum in which voters would evaluate the specific terms of the agreement.