Kyprianou, Spyros, 1932-2002

Spyros Achilleos Kyprianou (Greek: Σπύρος Αχιλλέως Κυπριανού; 28 October 1932 – 12 March 2002) was a Cypriot barrister and politician, who served as President of Cyprus from 1977 to 1988. He also served as President of the Cypriot House of Representatives from 1976 to 1977 and then again from 1996 to 2001, as well as being President of the Democratic Party, which he founded, from 1976 to 2000. As president, he considerably expanded Cyprus' presence on the international stage. He entered office in acting capacity following the death of President Makarios III in 1977, before being elected unopposed for the rest of Makarios' term in the resulting by-election the following month. He was elected for the next full term in 1978, again unopposed, and re-elected for a second full term 1983, but lost his bid to secure a third full term in 1988.