Frixos Koulermos says Democratic Rally (DISY) president Annita Demetriou herself announced her intention to withdraw from the contest for the party’s presidential nomination, at a gathering at the party’s offices last Thursday. In a written statement on Saturday, he rejected claims that he had pressured or blackmailed her or Giorgos Pamboridis.
Account of the meeting
Koulermos said he went to DISY’s offices alone, at Demetriou’s invitation. In his view, she invited him not as a publisher or media owner, but as one of the people who built the Democratic Rally.
According to Koulermos, Averof Neophytou arrived later. Koulermos said he believed the party president had invited Neophytou separately.
He said the three of them went to Demetriou’s office where, “without any discussion whatsoever beforehand”, she announced her intention to withdraw from the contest for DISY’s presidential candidate nomination, “in a move to restore unity within the party”.
According to Koulermos, the DISY president said she would also call Pamboridis to inform him of her decision, and asked the two men to stay so they could hear her.
Rejection of pressure claims
Koulermos acknowledged that they had discussed matters and exchanged views and ideas during the meeting, but rejected interpretations that pressure had been exerted.
“Only politically unethical and malicious people could interpret them as blackmail, pressure, control and ‘catty behaviour’,” he said.
He said that within 24 hours he had repeatedly heard claims “from various latecomers pretending to be well-wishers” that he was threatening, pressuring and slandering the DISY president and Pamboridis. He described those references as “not worthy of comment”. He added that he felt obliged to set the record straight “out of self-respect and as a minimum obligation” to those he had spoken with.
“I regret having been obliged to issue this clarification. Those of us who gave our all for this party do not resort to such practices,” he concluded.
Pamboridis on Demetriou’s stance
On Friday, Pamboridis referred to Demetriou’s stance in a post on X. He wrote that she had faced intense questioning and “coordinated undermining with catty remarks and whispers”, but had “risen to the historic position she holds, safeguarding the unity of the party”.
“She had my admiration anyway. Since yesterday, she also has my absolute respect,” he wrote. He added that she would have his full support as long as, as he put it, she followed the party line laid down by DISY’s founders.
Source: CNA
