The leadership of the Democratic Rally (DISY) moved on Thursday to contain the internal tensions triggered by a letter from Harris Georgiades. At a morning meeting, the party’s Executive Bureau decided that officials will not take part in television panels or post on social media about internal party matters, one month before members vote on the party’s nomination for the 2028 presidential elections.
How the decision was communicated
The decision was sent to party officials by message, as reported by Omega on its programme “Aichmes”. According to information, it was taken after intense behind-the-scenes discussions and disagreements during the Executive Bureau meeting.
From now on, television appearances by officials will be limited to other political and current affairs topics, and only in debates with representatives of other parties. They will not appear on panels where DISY members face each other.
Neophytou turns to party members
On Thursday morning, Averof Neophytou announced in a written statement that for the month remaining until the vote, he will prioritise contact with party members rather than public debates.
In the statement, titled “The time of the party’s people”, the former DISY president said he wants to hear members’ concerns about the difficulties facing families, workers and small business owners, the future of young people, the quality of life of pensioners and the course of the Cyprus problem.
He made no reference to Mr Georgiades, noting only that public confrontations undermine rather than strengthen the party’s unity.
The Georgiades letter
The directive came two days after Mr Georgiades wrote to DISY President Annita Demetriou. In his letter, the former Finance Minister said he would not take part in the election campaign if Averof Neophytou wins the nomination. He also placed at her disposal his resignation as president of the Glafcos Clerides Institute.
The same evening, Mrs Demetriou announced that she does not accept the resignation, saying that issues are resolved through dialogue, not resignations.
Demetriou: unity “certainly under threat”
Speaking on Wednesday after the student parade for 28 October in Nicosia, the DISY President acknowledged that the party’s unity is “certainly under threat”, adding that this depends on the conduct and actions of everyone.
Internal issues, she said, will be dealt with not through extremes but through a call for unity that must prevail in practice. Asked about Mr Georgiades’s letter, she referred to her social media post, saying that one more effort will be made, but that the result of the internal party process must be fully respected.
Reactions within the party
The letter prompted a series of reactions. DISY Vice-President Giannis Karousos described Mr Georgiades’s positions as inappropriate and divisive.
Parliamentary Spokesperson Demetris Demetriou disagreed with his approach, arguing that officials should not publicly declare their preference, with a view to the party’s cohesion after the vote.
Previous calls for restraint
This is not the first time the party’s headquarters on Pindarou Street has called for restraint. In mid-October, after Mrs Demetriou withdrew from the race for the nomination, the leadership called on both candidates and all officials to focus on positions and proposals, avoid personal confrontations and make public statements in line with the party’s Code of Ethics.
