Charalambos Prountzos, Mayor of Nicosia, gives us a glimpse into a typically fast-paced day at the office and away from it, demonstrating how he manages to juggle all his responsibilities with style, humour and a deep-rooted love for his city.
The moment he enters the building, we ambush him. He’s momentarily taken aback but a warm smile quickly spreads across his face. He greets me and our photographer as if we’re old friends, before being briefed by his secretary on the day ahead as we make our way into his office.
“What time does your day start, Mr. Mayor?” I ask him.
“I’m both an early bird and a night owl,” he says, “and I usually wake up at 5:30 in the morning. My day always begins with a shower and breakfast is generally on the healthy side. Twice a week, between 6:00am and 7:30am, I visit workers on site. I typically head to the office around 8 o’clock.” He adds that no two days are ever quite the same: “My schedule is constantly changing, which keeps things dynamic and engaging.”
As a child, Prountzos dreamt of being a pianist, a tennis player and even an astronaut. Instead, he became a lawyer. “I hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) from the University of Bristol (2001) and I qualified as a Barrister-at-Law at the Inns of Court School of Law in London. I also obtained a Diploma in Professional Legal Skills from City University, London,” he informs me.
But then, just one year ago, he decided to stand in the municipal elections and won 56.8% of the vote to become Mayor of the Cypriot capital.
He walks on quickly, scrolling through his phone with quiet intensity. I suspect that he’s reading the news headlines. As soon as the lift doors open, he looks up with Swiss precision, greets his assistants and begins reviewing a document the moment it’s handed to him. For a fleeting moment, I’m convinced he’s forgotten all about us – until I interrupt to ask whether he ever finds the time to pause and reset during the day. Does he even have lunch?
“I usually don’t have time for a proper lunch but sometimes I will randomly visit shops in the old city, grab a quick bite and chat with the owners at the same time. My afternoons are usually quite active; I’m often moving around the city, meeting people and attending various events. I tend to clock off – unofficially – around 11:30pm. And while I always tend to take work home with me, I try not to work too much in the evenings, so I can spend quality time with my family.”
As we head off for a quick coffee, he greets nearly everyone we pass. He stops to talk with someone he seems to know and then turns to me, answering my as yet unspoken question:
“I make it a point to walk through the city every day, which keeps me connected to its rhythm and energy. One thing most people don’t realise about my job is the sheer weight of responsibility it carries – it covers a multitude of extremely diverse subjects, and funding is often a challenge for a city of this scale. When juggling multiple responsibilities, I find that the best way to stay focused is to fully engage with the people and tasks directly in front of me.”
On our way to a closed-door meeting, I seize the opportunity to ask some more personal questions – ones I suspect I may not get the chance to ask again. How does he like to spend his very limited free time?
“At home, I’m very much hands-on,” he says. “I take care of chores, I enjoy organising and I don’t shy away from fixing things when needed. I absolutely love cooking and prefer it to ordering in whenever possible.”
I’m delighted to learn that his favourite film – the one he will happily watch on repeat – is Dead Poets Society, while the last book he read was Don’t Write Arthur, Nasia Dionysiou’s novel about the French poet Arthur Rimbaud who, in 1880, worked as a supervisor on the construction of what is now the presidential residence on Troodos. And when it comes to television, he admits to having a soft spot for Boston Legal – “It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure but a brilliant show nonetheless!”
It’s no secret that the Mayor has a soft spot for music. “Music has played a meaningful role throughout my life,” he tells me. “It has helped me connect with others, express my creativity and build confidence. Through music, I’ve made friendships, embraced different cultures and even improved my public speaking skills thanks to performance and self-expression. One musical memory that particularly stands out is attending a concert by Haris Alexiou – it was a truly unforgettable experience.”
In addition to Greek music, he’d also drawn to rock. “One of the first albums I ever bought was A Night at the Opera by Queen,” he recalls, describing it as “a classic that still resonates with me today.”
The Mayor also enjoys playing the piano – and basketball. “Perhaps an unexpected mix!” he says with a broad smile. He’s also a football fan: “I’ve always been into sport and I proudly support both APOEL in Cyprus and Panathinaikos in Greece.”
When I ask him how he would describe himself professionally in three words, he comes up with “workaholic, passionate and strategic,” while adding, “The best part about being me is that I’m sensitive, caring and fearless – but those same qualities can also be the most challenging to possess at times.”
When he re-emerges from the meeting and sees us waiting, he offers us another coffee. “There’s another major meeting coming up,” he informs us, “but feel free to help yourselves to something while you wait.” We continue to trail him as he steps away to take a phone call – something important, judging by the tone.
What motivates him to maintain such a fast pace all the time?
“The opportunity to create a positive impact in people’s lives” he enthuses. “I’m especially driven by the challenge of bringing the changes I envision for Nicosia to life and transforming those dreams into tangible improvements for the city’s future. At this stage of my life,” he says, “success means making a lasting and positive impact on society. It’s about helping others, creating opportunities for growth and inclusion, and contributing to the well-being of my community. Most importantly, success for me lies in playing a meaningful role in uniting our divided city – building bridges, fostering understanding and working towards a future where all citizens feel heard, valued and connected.”
Later, as we wrap up our time together, he casts a thoughtful glance over the city.
“When I need to unwind or reflect, I’m drawn to places like Eleftheria Square and the old GSP stadium, both of which have a special place in my heart,” he says, before adding with a tinge of regret, “The one thing I truly wish I had more time for is my family.”
Before we part ways, I ask one more question: “Do you have any unfulfilled dreams or ambitions?”
“I wish I could have sung a duet with Antonis Vardis,” he replies without hesitation, smiling as he walks away – summoned once more to yet another meeting.
(Original photos by TASPHO)
