Former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, has warned of the risk of internal divisions within the party amid growing debate over the selection of its candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
Speaking on the ant1live podcast with journalist Theseas Ioannou, Anastasiades said he disagreed with both the timing and the way the process to select the party’s presidential candidate had been launched. He argued that discussions on potential political alliances should have taken place before the selection process began.
Anastasiades described DISY leader Annita Demetriou’s decision not to seek the party’s nomination as the right one. He also revealed that he had already met Giorgos Pamboridis and planned to meet former DISY leader Averof Neophytou.
He called on both potential candidates to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could fuel tensions within the party. Once the selection process is complete, he said, all sides should move forward together.
Anastasiades also made clear that he intended to support whichever candidate the party ultimately selected.
Calls for unity and conditional cooperation with Christodoulides
Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election, Anastasiades expressed support for an understanding with President Nicos Christodoulides on mutual backing in the second round, provided it was based on clear and strictly defined terms.
He also criticised the leaking of information about private meetings and behind-the-scenes political discussions within DISY, arguing that such practices heightened tensions and fostered resentment.
His comments come amid an internal debate over the party’s presidential nomination, with Anastasiades warning that disagreements over the process should not undermine party cohesion.
Revisiting the 2023 presidential election
Anastasiades also addressed the 2023 presidential election, rejecting claims that he had failed to support Neophytou’s candidacy.
However, he acknowledged that between the first and second rounds of voting, he had backed Christodoulides, who went on to win the presidency.
His remarks revisit a contested period for DISY, which saw its own candidate fail to advance to the second round while Christodoulides, who had previously served as a government minister, ran as an independent.
Criticism of infrastructure delays and government decisions
Turning to the current administration, Anastasiades criticised delays in the implementation of infrastructure projects, as well as the abandonment or suspension of projects that, he argued, remained unfinished or unfulfilled.
Despite his reservations on specific issues, he said he agreed with the government’s broad policy direction in areas including the economy, social policy and foreign affairs.
Anastasiades also argued that Christodoulides had not given sufficient recognition to his colleagues and ministers for their contributions.
He further criticised the decision to appoint Nikos Tornaritis as an adviser on the Cyprus problem with responsibilities covering Africa and Asia. In his view, the appointment had created unnecessary tensions both with DISY’s leadership and among the party’s grassroots membership.
