Vassos Lyssarides

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Vassos Lyssarides
Born May 13, 1920
Lefkara, Cyprus
Political party EDEK
Religion Christian
Spouse Barbara Cornwall Lyssarides
Website: www.lyssarides.com/

Dr Vassos Lyssarides is a Cypriot politician who has been a central figure in Cyprus politics since the island's independence.

He was born in 1920 in the village of Lefkara. He was educated at the Pancyprian Gymnasium and then studied medicine at the University of Athens. He became involved in politics early on in his life and took an active part in the anticolonial struggle against the British (1955-1959). He participated in the London conference in 1959 for the establishment of Cyprus independence. In 1960 he was elected member of the first parliament of the Cyprus Republic and since then has been re-elected to all the consecutive parliaments. He was elected and served as President of the Cyprus Parliament from 1985-1991.

In 1969 he formed the first Socialist Party in Cyprus, EDEK. He was repeatedly elected president of his party until the year 2000. In 2000 he assumed the title of Honorary President.