DISY vice-president Giannis Karousos has delivered a sharp warning to President Nikos Christodoulides over reports that members of the party could be appointed in an upcoming cabinet reshuffle, saying such a move would amount to a "direct confrontation" with the party.
Speaking to Politis Radio 107.6 & 97.6, Mr Karousos said DISY does not want any of its members participating in the Christodoulides government.
"We want him to leave us alone. He has troubled this party enough," he said.
"We do not want and do not wish for any of our members to be part of this government, particularly in this reshuffle."
Warning over reshuffle appointments
Mr Karousos also commented on names reportedly being considered for positions in the reshuffle, including Christos Angelides, to whom he addressed a public message.
"My friend Christos carries a name with a heavy history," he said, referring to the family's links to former president Glafcos Clerides.
"He should not go and tarnish his name in this affair for 18 months in a deputy ministry or a ministry."
Addressing DISY figures who have reportedly received government approaches, Mr Karousos urged them to respect both the party and its supporters.
He called on them to respect "the thousands of Democratic Rally voters who voted for and supported them" and "the decisions of the party".
At the same time, he praised party members who had already rejected proposals from the Presidential Palace.
"Personally, I respect that and congratulate them," he said.
Calls for tougher opposition
Mr Karousos also left open the possibility of a more confrontational opposition strategy towards the president.
He argued that DISY's approach so far had been milder than it should have been.
"I think it is generally accepted that the opposition towards the President of the Republic has not been at the level it should have been until now," he said.
"The Democratic Rally cannot be receiving slaps every day from the President of the Republic."
Explaining what he meant by "constructive opposition", Mr Karousos said DISY had supported government bills it considered beneficial, but had not received the same treatment in return.
"I pass your bills if I consider them correct, but then you come and slap me. Then I vote for something else and the next day you come and slap me again. That has to stop."
He added that DISY and Mr Christodoulides would inevitably face each other in the next presidential election.
"We will compete in the presidential elections. Let's do it honestly and fairly, not with blows below the belt."
Concerns over leaked poll
Mr Karousos also addressed an internal party poll related to the presidential election, saying he had been briefed on its findings during a leadership meeting and expressing concern over its leak.
"That poll should not have been leaked," he said.
According to Mr Karousos, the survey should have remained an internal planning tool rather than becoming public, in order to avoid fuelling internal divisions.
Three potential candidates
He further revealed that there are three serious potential candidates from within DISY for the presidency.
Mr Karousos argued that the party should accelerate its internal selection process, giving its eventual candidate more time to organise a campaign and engage with society ahead of the election.
