The decision on the timetable for Disy's internal process to choose its presidential candidate will be taken at Friday's session of the party's Political Bureau, Disy spokesman Onoufrios Koulla told Politis. Asked to comment on criticism from some quarters that the timetable for the nomination ahead of the presidential election is too tight, Koulla said: "Those who are complaining about the strict timetable should not have rushed to announce their candidacy prematurely and publicly." He added that the decision on the timetable will be taken on Friday and that "those who have a different view can submit it to the Political Bureau." The party's Executive Bureau is recommending to the Political Bureau that candidacies for the nomination be submitted on Tuesday 13 October, from 9am to 12.30pm, and that the Extraordinary Pancyprian Electoral Assembly be held on Saturday 14 November, with voting running from 9am to 6pm.
'A marked deck'
Former Disy leader Averof Neophytou also expressed doubts about the timetable. Appearing on CyBC's Apo Mera se Mera programme, where he was asked whether he will take part in the internal process, Neophytou said: "I was never afraid with a normal deck of cards. I will not play again with a marked deck." He added the ancient Greek maxim that to err twice is not the mark of a wise man. Neophytou indicated that he considers the timetable proposed by the Executive Bureau too tight. "You take everything for granted, but the timetable does not add up," he said. The former leader said he would speak when the time for the formal procedures comes, noting that his announcement is not confined to the party and its members. "I have neither decided in advance nor ruled anything out," he repeated.
Pamboridis weighs his options
Disy MP Giorgos Pamboridis, who last July became the first to announce he would seek the nomination, described the process as "rushed." Speaking to Politis Radio 107.6 and 97.6, Pamboridis said he will present his concerns to the Political Bureau on Friday regarding the timetable set for the internal process to select Disy's candidate for the 2028 presidential election. "Why this haste?" he asked, arguing that those interested should have enough time both to present their positions and vision and to address party members. He made clear that he will first listen to the positions and reactions of party officials and will take his final decision over the weekend on whether to seek the nomination.
