Democratic Rally (DISY) vice-president Yiannis Karousos has described former president Nicos Anastasiades’ proposal for a possible pre-election agreement with President Nicos Christodoulides as a “message of defeat”, amid discussions over the party’s strategy for the next presidential election.
Speaking on Alpha Kalimera programme, Karousos rejected suggestions that DISY had moved too quickly in launching the process to select its presidential candidate. On the contrary, he argued that the party should have made its choice considerably earlier.
“There were no rushed moves. On the contrary, we were late. We should have had our candidate by September,” he said.
Karousos rejects proposal for deal with Christodoulides
Addressing Anastasiades’ suggestion that DISY could reach an agreement with Christodoulides ahead of the next presidential election, Karousos openly disagreed.
“I disagree. We should not even open up or discuss such an issue. This is a message of defeatism. We should not be sending such messages at this stage, because it is as though we are sending a message of defeat,” he said.
His comments put him at odds with Anastasiades, who has argued that an understanding with Christodoulides on mutual support in the second round could be considered, provided it was based on clear and strictly defined terms.
‘Anyone who does not support the party’s candidate can leave’
Karousos also addressed the internal discussions surrounding DISY’s candidate selection, stressing that the final decision must be respected by all party members.
He said one of the leadership’s main challenges was to ensure that the party united behind the candidate chosen by its grassroots membership.
“Anyone who intends not to support the candidate selected through the process should know that the door of Democratic Rally is there for them to walk out,” he said.
Karousos added that he had personally decided not to disclose which candidate he preferred, saying he wanted to help preserve party unity and keep tensions low throughout the internal selection process.
Neophytou’s comments on Russia sanctions ‘misinterpreted’
During the same interview, Karousos was asked about the controversy surrounding remarks by former DISY leader Averof Neophytou on sanctions against Russia.
He argued that Neophytou’s comments had been misinterpreted and stressed that they did not represent the party’s official position.
“The message he wanted to convey was different. What came out publicly was something else, in terms of communication. It is certainly not the position of Democratic Rally,” Karousos said.
He explained that the discussion had focused primarily on the impact of sanctions on fuel costs and the need to raise the issue at European level.
Call for party unity
Concluding his intervention, Karousos urged DISY members and senior figures to demonstrate through their actions that the party’s unity took priority over personal preferences and internal political calculations.
His remarks come as the party considers its options for the next presidential election, with differences emerging over the timing of candidate selection and the possibility of future cooperation with Christodoulides.
