DISY must remain the party with the largest number of seats in parliament and conduct a responsible pre-election campaign involving all party officials, projecting strong political messages and a unified political voice against populism and the toxicity of so-called anti-system parties. This was the main conclusion of yesterday’s working breakfast of the party leadership and parliamentary group, attended by the party’s two former leaders, Nicos Anastasiades and Averof Neophytou.
The working breakfast lasted around two hours and took place in the morning at DISY headquarters, on the initiative of party president Annita Demetriou. A free-ranging political discussion was held on the upcoming parliamentary elections and current political developments, with participants voicing concerns about the political landscape and ideas on how all DISY officials and members can be mobilised.
Rallying the party
DISY president Annita Demetriou was the first to speak, stressing that the contribution of all party officials and members is essential in this unprecedented political environment. She said the party must fight the parliamentary elections with all its strength. Addressing those present, she noted that they were gathered as a political family and must put aside minor differences and complaints, uniting behind the common goal of the elections. She underlined the need for unity and for this message to be projected publicly, so that the party’s campaign can continue smoothly and effectively.
DISY spokesperson and Famagusta MP Onoufrios Koullas then took the floor, stating that DISY must win the elections and secure the largest number of seats in the new parliament. He warned of the risk of a new House of Representatives unable to take majority decisions due to excessive fragmentation, noting that the legislature emerging from the May elections would be unable to function without a strong DISY presence.
In his intervention, DISY deputy president Efthymios Diplaros said he is personally handling the issue of dissatisfied members in cooperation with the district secretariats. He also put forward several proposals for the pre-election campaign, including the participation of traditional party figures in district and local gatherings.
Nicos Anastasiades
Former President of the Republic and honorary party leader Nicos Anastasiades expressed his own concerns about the risk of a chaotic parliament following the elections. He stressed that traditional parties must conduct their campaigns in a climate of mutual respect. He said particular care is needed in public confrontations so as not to reinforce political disillusionment or boost so-called anti-system parties, citing as an example the frequent political clashes between DISY and AKEL. He added that DISY must put forward proposals that resonate with and engage citizens.
Averof Neophytou
Former DISY leader Averof Neophytou focused on the need to shape and express a single, coherent political message from party officials and MPs. He warned against internal discord, ideological shifts or extreme repositioning that could blur DISY’s political narrative and confuse voters about the party’s ideological identity. He also expressed the view that, as part of the election campaign, meetings should be held with productive sectors of society, such as professional and business organisations.
It is also noted that next Friday, 23 January, a working breakfast of the party’s presidential council will take place at DISY headquarters. Former ministers and MPs will participate, continuing the internal discussion on the parliamentary elections.
Sykas' case
Absent from yesterday’s meeting was Limassol MP Nikos Sykas, who is facing allegations of physical and psychological abuse against his partner. On Thursday, the Supreme Court decided to lift his parliamentary immunity, clearing the way for police investigators to proceed.
The Sykas case has occupied DISY for several days. The party’s Executive Bureau has adopted a proposal by the party president to exclude the Limassol MP from the party’s electoral list. However, a meeting of the Political Bureau that was due to examine the proposal was postponed, with a new date expected to be set following the Supreme Court’s decision.
Yesterday’s working breakfast revealed differing schools of thought within DISY on how the case should be handled. One group of party officials argues that the party is sending mixed messages by seeking to exclude Mr Sykas from the electoral list while not simultaneously removing him from the parliamentary group, warning that this could be exploited by political opponents. Another group, however, believes DISY should not take such action before guilt is proven and a court conviction secured.
According to information from P, the DISY leadership is receiving guidance from the party’s legal adviser to ensure that all procedures are lawful and that any decisions taken are legally and constitutionally sound.
Uncertainty also remains over the stance Mr Sykas himself would adopt should he be excluded from the party’s electoral list and parliamentary group. According to sources close to the MP, Mr Sykas does not appear inclined, in such a scenario, to act vindictively against the party or to seek election under another political banner.