Former DISY president Averof Neophytou has formally entered the race for the party's nomination for the 2028 presidential election, ending weeks of speculation over whether he would run independently.
In a video message filmed against the backdrop of the unfinished Vasiliko energy project, Neophytou appealed directly to DISY members, asking for their vote of confidence and pledging to unite the party.
Return to the party fold
Almost four weeks after announcing his presidential ambitions without explicitly identifying himself with DISY, Neophytou returned to overt party messaging.
In recent days, speculation had intensified after he avoided clarifying whether he would seek the presidency through the party and presented proposals on the cost of living as an active citizen and presidential hopeful rather than as a party candidate.
His latest intervention put those questions to rest.
Addressing fellow party members, he spoke of shared struggles, successes and disappointments, as well as the principles and values they had defended together.
Neophytou placed the cost of living, electricity prices, fuel costs and the housing crisis at the centre of his platform, highlighting the difficulties young people face in paying rent.
On the Cyprus problem, he warned that continued deadlock carries new risks and insisted that Cyprus would not remain divided.
He argued that the country needs a change of direction and leadership capable of delivering results, adding that he is prepared to use his experience and knowledge regardless of the political cost.
Neophytou also proposed a new social contract with citizens based on the principle: "Listen, act and be accountable."
He said he wants to achieve change in government through political cooperation and greater participation by civil society.
Pamboridis attacks nomination rules
His rival for the DISY nomination, MP George Pamboridis, told CyBC Radio that he is close to securing the 500 signatures required to qualify but criticised the party rules governing the process.
Pamboridis argued that the requirement for 500 signatures, combined with provincial quotas and a tight timeframe, favours traditional party insiders.
“They wanted to strengthen their own fiefdom,” he said.
He noted that only 100 signatures are needed to contest a presidential election nationally, while five times that number is required to secure the DISY nomination.
Pamboridis also commented on former president Nicos Anastasiades' suggestion that DISY and President Nikos Christodoulides should reach a pre-election understanding under which whichever candidate fails to reach the second round would support the other.
According to Pamboridis, any such discussion should be preceded by an apology from Christodoulides to DISY supporters for, as he put it, turning his back on them during the 2023 election.
Demetriou stresses unity
DISY leader Annita Demetriou was also asked about the prospect of future cooperation with Christodoulides.
Speaking at a press conference on the budget and the cost of living, she said she understood Anastasiades' concerns and agreed that DISY should remain the main rallying point for the centre-right.
However, she stressed that decisions relating to the second round of the presidential election will be taken by the party's collective bodies at the appropriate time.
“We are not entering elections to lose,” she said.
Demetriou, who withdrew from the race on 8 October, said party supporters felt relieved by her decision, which was taken in the interests of unity.
She confirmed that both nomination contenders have committed to supporting each other regardless of the outcome, describing that pledge as a prerequisite for the process.
Countdown to the vote
With Neophytou's formal declaration, the nomination race has entered its final stage.
According to Politis, signature lists from both candidates are expected to be submitted to party headquarters by Friday or Saturday morning for preliminary verification.
The signatures will be entered into an electronic system designed to identify invalid entries automatically, allowing candidates time to correct any issues before Monday.
Barring any surprises, two candidacies are expected to be formally submitted on 26 October, with the internal DISY election scheduled for 28 November.
