The Democratic Rally (DISY) convened an emergency leadership meeting on 21 September, following days of internal tension between senior party officials in the aftermath of the appointment of former MP Nikos Tornaritis to a diplomatic role by President Nikos Christodoulides.
Meeting convened after days of internal tension
The meeting, called by DISY president Annita Demetriou, began at 13:00 and includes members of the party's leadership. It follows a public dispute between DISY's deputy leader, Efthymios Diplaros, and the party's vice-president, Yiannis Karousos.
Diplaros seeks to calm the dispute
Speaking to media ahead of the meeting, Mr Diplaros sought to lower the tone of the disagreement, saying that "these things happen even in the best of families" and stressing that all disputes are set aside for the good of the party.
Denies visiting the Presidential Palace unofficially
Asked about Mr Karousos' earlier comments suggesting that some DISY officials visit the Presidential Palace in the morning and the party's headquarters on Pindarou Street in the afternoon, Mr Diplaros said he has never visited the Presidential Palace unofficially. He added that he does not know "who goes to the Presidential Palace," but said, "what I do know is that I have been there at least twice, together with the party's president."
On the appointment of Mr Tornaritis, Mr Diplaros said it would be discourteous not to wish him success in the role. He repeated that DISY practises constructive opposition, stressing that "we must not give away a single member of the Democratic Rally to anyone, no one is superfluous."
Karousos: "We sorted it out"
Mr Karousos also made statements to media, saying that "we sorted it out" with Mr Diplaros. He spoke in favour of party unity with a view to winning the 2028 presidential election.
Background: the Tornaritis appointment
The dispute follows a decision by the Council of Ministers the previous week to appoint Mr Tornaritis, DISY's former parliamentary spokesperson, as Special Political Envoy of the President of the Republic for the Cyprus problem to countries in Asia and Africa. The appointment has been interpreted by many as a further attempt by President Christodoulides to create divisions within DISY and gain influence inside the party ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
This is a developing story.
