The surprise withdrawal of Annita Demetriou from the race for the DISY presidential nomination ahead of the 2028 presidential election has done little to settle internal disputes triggered by the political manoeuvring of Averof Neophytou.
Instead, the development has fuelled dissatisfaction among sections of the party base and officials who believe Demetriou was pushed towards withdrawal by the threat of a new split within the party, a possibility they argue Neophytou kept alive through his public statements.
Neophytou's determination to seek the presidency in 2028, coupled with indications that he would continue his bid even without receiving the party's official endorsement, is viewed by some critics within DISY as a form of political pressure.
According to this view, Demetriou faced a dilemma that went beyond personal ambition, as insisting on her own candidacy could have triggered a fresh internal confrontation with potentially serious consequences for party unity.
Demetriou herself has rejected suggestions that she was pressured, insisting that her withdrawal was a personal decision taken in the interests of the party.
Nevertheless, questions continue to be raised about the circumstances surrounding the decision, particularly given her enduring influence among DISY supporters and the fact that she emerged from the recent parliamentary election campaign with the party polling around 27%, outperforming expectations.
Discontent beyond Averof's critics
What is particularly notable is that dissatisfaction is no longer confined to officials who traditionally opposed Neophytou.
Similar concerns are reportedly emerging among DISY members who strongly supported his presidential campaign in 2023 and who now disagree with the manner in which he has returned to the contest for the party nomination.
A number of party members have publicly criticised the former DISY leader through social media posts, drawing comparisons between his current stance and the tensions that emerged between him and Nikos Christodoulides during the 2023 presidential election.
That reaction carries added weight because the scars of the 2023 election campaign continue to influence internal alliances and political calculations within DISY.
For many party officials, the prospect of the movement once again facing multiple candidacies from the same political space remains deeply worrying.
Under these circumstances, Neophytou's path to securing the nomination appears far from straightforward.
Despite his strong influence within the party machinery and the networks he built during his years as party leader, opposition to his recent tactics has created a more challenging environment than he may have anticipated following Demetriou's withdrawal.
Pamporidis attracts support
At the same time, developments at DISY headquarters suggest that the candidacy of George Pamporidis is gaining momentum.
His bid is increasingly becoming a rallying point for different factions within the party that share a desire for a candidate other than Neophytou in the 2028 presidential election.
Particularly significant, according to Politis, is the stance of former foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides, who is expected to back Pamporidis in the nomination contest.
It remains unclear whether that support will be expressed publicly or through informal political guidance from the veteran politician.
Kasoulides' position is seen as potentially influential because of his standing within the party and his connections across different generations of DISY supporters.
Another notable development was the public intervention of Michalis Ioannides, a close associate of Demetriou, son of Ouranios Ioannides and coordinator of the Government Work Monitoring Council.
In an interview with Kathimerini, he announced his support for Pamporidis while stressing that his position reflected a personal choice and not that of the DISY president.
Behind the scenes, there is also discussion about additional party figures joining the Pamporidis camp, particularly among voters in Nicosia.
Some believe that the emergence of a third candidate could split support among those seeking an alternative to Neophytou.
Annita's role
The position adopted by Demetriou remains a key factor in the unfolding developments.
Despite withdrawing from the contest, she retains significant political influence within the party.
She is not expected to publicly endorse either Neophytou or Pamporidis, as such a move could create fresh tensions inside DISY.
Nonetheless, the choices made by politicians close to her are attracting considerable attention, as they may shape the atmosphere ahead of the internal vote.
The Christodoulides factor
A significant group of DISY supporters who back President Nikos Christodoulides is also expected to play an important role in the contest between Neophytou and Pamporidis.
According to party sources, the prevailing view among many in that camp is to support Neophytou, whom they regard as an easier opponent for Christodoulides in the 2028 presidential election.
As one source put it, Christodoulides "defeated Averof comfortably in 2023", and many believe the same outcome could be repeated in 2028.
They argue that Neophytou's efforts to secure the party nomination have already deepened divisions within DISY, potentially weakening his electoral prospects in a future presidential race.
