The official procedures for the presidential election may not have begun yet, but behind the scenes, a great deal has already been done within the Democratic Alarm.
In fact, given the current situation, the battle to select a candidate is a one-way street, with Anita Dimitriou and Averof Neophytou preparing for a fairly tough—and perhaps even evenly matched—contest, according to reports from Pindarou.
Of course, Giorgos Pamporidis is also in the picture, maintaining his presence in the unofficial internal party primary, despite the fact that he does not seem to have the necessary support compared to the current and former party presidents.
The Process
Procedurally, the candidate will now be selected through a universal vote by the party’s rank-and-file members, rather than by the Supreme Council.
This process will be carried out as follows—for the first time in the party’s history—following the relevant constitutional amendments of 2025.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Statutory Provision
Each candidate must collect 500 signatures from supporters, at least 100 of which must come from the Supreme Council.
The selection takes place through an Extraordinary Pan-Cypriot Electoral Assembly, which may be held toward the end of the year or in early 2027—that is, one year before the presidential election.
Behind-the-Scenes Battle
As for the situation within DISY, social media has already… revealed the division that exists regarding the choice of candidate.
Discussions among SYNAGERMIS members—even in public—along with analyses and opinions, paint a picture that hints at a fierce pre-election campaign, which will reach its peak in the fall.
However, the only one currently in full-fledged campaign mode is Averof Neophytou—who has nearly completed the “rebranding” process that has lasted for months — involving daily meetings as well as policy statements centered on the Cyprus issue.
For her part, Anita Dimitriou is preparing, along with her close associates, for a full-scale offensive in the coming weeks, with the first internal party poll in her arsenal, which shows her as stronger than any other “Synergatiko” candidate against Nicos Christodoulides.
See the report by Nikos Prokommenos:
