Background
He was born in Nicosia, Cyprus on April 11, 1947.
He was born in Nicosia, Cyprus on April 11, 1947.
He graduated from the Kykko Pancyprian Gymnasium and after his studies in Law, in the University of Athens and the University College London, he is a practicing lawyer since 1972.
In 1990, following internal conflict in Anorthotiko Komma Ergazomenou Laou (Progressive Party of the Working People) and the deposition of Andreas Fantis and Andreas Ziartides, Papapetrou joined the two and Pavlos Diglis and founded ADISOK (Greek: ΑΔΗΣΟΚ - Ανανεωτικό Δημοκρατικό Σοσιαλιστικό Κόμμα). In December 1996, following the merging of the Free Democrats with ADISOK, he was elected as Deputy Chairman and in October 2005 as Chairman of the United Democrats. From 25/8/1999 until 28/2/2003 he served as Government Spokesman in Clerides administration.
Television interviews of Michalis Papapetrou were documented by journalist Pavlos Pavlou (Greek: Παύλος Παύλου) in his book Dimosia Katathesi (Greek: Δημόσια Κατάθεση).
In the past he held the posts of chairman of the Union of Cypriot Students in London, member of the Council of the Federation of Students Unions (OEFEK), Secretary General of OMONIA F.C., member of the Cyprus Bar Council and chairman of EDON. In 1985 he was elected as member of the House of Representatives with Anorthotiko Komma Ergazomenou Laou (Progressive Party of the Working People). He served ADISOK from the post Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Member of Parliament.