Former Disy leader Averof Neofytou announced on Sunday his candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections, saying in a written statement that the window of hope for the Cyprus problem had "unfortunately remained closed" after the high-level contacts in New York. "Not the slightest thing was agreed," Neofytou said, adding that UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who had tied his legacy to a solution of the Cyprus problem, leaves office in three months. Neofytou said he had warned in vain that time was not on Cyprus' side, and that not even a negotiating process had been achieved. He accused the country's leadership of preferring the beaten path. He said he shared the anguish of a large part of the public and its demand for a national awakening, and for mobilisation with the vision of reunifying the country and ending the occupation, which he described as a patriotic vigilance that would lift Cyprus out of passivity, resignation and de facto acceptance of the status quo. "In this sacred struggle I take my stand," he said, pledging to solve the country's major problems, give young people prospects and build a just society, "above all, for a reunited homeland".
The announcement follows a week in which Neofytou tied his decision directly to the outcome in New York. Appearing on Omega on 23 September, he said he would be a candidate if "not a leaf moved" on the Cyprus problem over the weekend. The following day he repeated that he was ready to run if there were no developments in New York, but said that even a small confidence-building measure could be seen as a sign of movement. In that case, he said, political forces should support the effort, as there was still time before the presidential elections.
A dilemma for Disy
The candidacy puts Disy, the party Neofytou led until 2023, in an awkward position. A source close to Neofytou said on 24 September that the decision had been taken "regardless of the procedures in Disy", and that it was now up to the party to decide whether to support him. Asked earlier in the week whether his candidacy would go through Disy's internal procedures or whether he was determined to run regardless of the party's decision, Neofytou avoided a clear answer. When it was put to him that his words suggested he would be a candidate "one way or another", he replied: "You are the ones saying that."
Disy parliamentary spokesman Demetris Demetriou has made clear that the party "will abide by its charter" in selecting its candidate. Speaking on Politis radio before the New York contacts, Demetriou said he hoped things would not turn out bleak and that Neofytou would not have to announce his candidacy. He said he would rather see developments on the Cyprus problem, even if announcements were delayed. Demetriou defended the practice of putting the choice to the party's grassroots members. "The base provides solutions," he said, adding that "democracy was never a dead end, democracy is health". He also dismissed suggestions of a rift, saying the party was not in a civil war. The election is roughly 17 months away.
Averof Neofytou's statement in full:
Written statement by Averof Neofytou: announcement of candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections
Sunday, 27 September 2026
The window of hope for the Cyprus problem has unfortunately remained closed.
After the high-level contacts in New York, not the slightest thing was agreed.
Mr Guterres, who had tied his legacy to the solution of the Cyprus problem, leaves in three months.
The deadlocks remain.
The dark clouds covering our country are growing ever thicker.
In vain I warned that time is not on our side. We did not achieve even a negotiating process.
It seems I was speaking to deaf ears. The country's leadership preferred the beaten path.
I share the anguish and the demand of a large part of our compatriots for a national awakening, for mobilisation with the vision of the reunification of our homeland and the end of the occupation.
A patriotic vigilance that will lift us out of the nirvana of passivity, resignation and de facto acceptance of the status quo.
In this sacred struggle I take my stand.
I declare myself present and submit my candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections.
To solve the country's major problems.
To give young people prospects.
To build a just society.
Above all,
for a reunited homeland.
Together we move forward.
