Cyprus MP Proposes Ban on Billboards for Foreign Election Campaigns

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A Cypriot MP has introduced legislation seeking to ban outdoor advertising used to promote candidates or campaigns in elections held in other countries.

Direct Democracy MP Yiannis Laouris submitted the proposed amendment to parliament on Friday, following controversy over billboards promoting Israeli prime ministerial candidate Gadi Eisenkot that appeared along roads in Cyprus earlier this year.

The bill will now be referred to the House Interior Committee, which will consider the proposal before deciding whether to send it to the plenary for a vote.

Laouris is seeking changes to Cyprus’ advertising control legislation to prohibit outdoor advertising connected to foreign election campaigns.

He said the amendment was intended to prevent the “uncontrolled use” of outdoor advertising space for political campaigns involving candidates participating, or intending to participate, in elections outside Cyprus.

Controversial Israeli election billboards

The proposed legislation follows a dispute that began in July when billboards promoting Eisenkot appeared along major roads, including routes near Larnaca airport.

One billboard addressed Israeli visitors with the message, “Israelis, have a good time. You deserve it,” while another encouraged travellers to “Come back and win!”

Eisenkot’s campaign headquarters confirmed at the time that the billboards were deliberately placed to reach Israeli tourists visiting Cyprus ahead of Israel’s October 27 prime ministerial election.

The campaign generated criticism on social media and prompted Direct Democracy leader Fidias Panayiotou to call for a ban on foreign countries using Cyprus as a platform for election campaigns.

At the time, however, Cyprus had no specific legal provision preventing a foreign political party or candidate from purchasing commercial advertising space on the island outside a Cypriot election period.

The Interior Ministry said in July that it had no legal framework under its authority governing election advertising or advertising generally, directing the matter towards the advertising regulation organisation Caro.

Caro similarly said there was no specific framework regulating the political content displayed on commercial billboards, provided advertisements complied with existing advertising standards.

Niche Advertising, the company responsible for the Eisenkot billboards, said it did not endorse the candidate or his party and regarded the campaign as a standard commercial transaction.

The company also questioned the reaction to the billboards, pointing to the presence of election advertising linked to foreign elections in other European countries.

One of the billboards near Larnaca airport was subsequently vandalised with paint in the colours of the Palestinian flag.

The new bill, if approved, would establish a specific legal restriction on outdoor advertising connected to elections taking place in foreign countries.

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