When the time comes, former DISY President Averof Neophytou will announce the process by which he will run as a candidate in the 2028 presidential election. He made this clear as a guest on the Alpha News program and emphasized that, throughout his 50-year political career, he has accustomed the public to speaking clearly and to “not sitting on the fence.” Mr. Neophytou sought to respond to the label attributed to him as “Arkakas’s lackey,” explaining that “a lackey doesn’t get caught in the net” and adding that:
“They caught me off guard. So perhaps some others were the foxes, and not the one they were naming.”
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He rejected, however, the criticism regarding the internal strife he has caused within DISY following the announcement of his candidacy, noting that it neither began nor is it his doing, and he referred to the period before and after the 2026 parliamentary elections.
“You will hear and you will judge. I am not chasing after events. I haven’t spoken to anyone; I’ve addressed society directly. I cannot tolerate the status quo of a divided nation, and I hear from society that it cannot tolerate the internal status quo— with some people doing well and others not.”
READ ALSO: “I Want to Lead”: Averof Neophytou Responds to DISY’s Procedures and to Chris Panayiotou
When asked about his decision to announce his candidacy before the internal party process at Pindarou had been finalized, the former DISY President responded with the saying that “the night brings forth a bishop” and that he neither drags his feet nor runs in a panic after developments. On the contrary, he indicated that he is paving the way.
“The betrayed do not betray, but at the same time, we must become wiser. To err twice is not the mark of a wise man.”
READ ALSO: Chris vs. Averoff: The dinner at the seafood tavern, the “joking” agreement, the champagne and whiskey that shape political decisions
Regarding the much-talked-about dinner at a well-known fish tavern in Nicosia between himself, Annita Dimitriou, and “her closest of the closest associates,” he expressed satisfaction that the incident was confirmed today by the publisher of “Politis,” Chris Panayiotou, and emphasized that he does not wish to continue the confrontation, as he does neither in politics nor in his personal life.
“My decision to run as a candidate is a political one and has nothing to do with the dinner. I mentioned it because I had to address the rumors that Averof was upset, that Averof is the underdog, that Averof is the loser. I want us to talk about the substance.”
READ ALSO: DISY Outlines Next Steps for Nomination; When Will the Ballot Be Held for the Presidential Candidate?
Explaining the reasons that led him to announce his candidacy, he described himself as a “political being” who believes that running for the office of President of the Republic is not just about a single party and its members, but about the major challenges facing the country.
The former President of DISY stated that he has already put the events of 2023 behind him, admitting that he has engaged in self-criticism and acknowledged his mistakes “before the first Sunday and between the first and second Sundays.”
When asked to explain what he meant by the claim that, following the 2026 parliamentary elections, some people allegedly sent a message to Annita Dimitriou to “sit tight,” he cited statements by Nikos Anastasiades, Ionas Nikolaou, and Nikos Tornaritis, who implied the need to support Nikos Christodoulides. On the other hand, he cited statements by Efthymios Diplaros that DISY “must forget about the coalition government.”
“We have a very mature society, and that is why I am addressing it—it listens, writes, takes notes, and has its own opinion; it doesn’t need mine.”
READ ALSO: “This must be done”: He predicts a DISY defeat in the 2028 presidential election if Anastasiades goes into the election with a divided party
At the same time, Mr. Neophytou sharply criticized DISY for its lack of opposition stances over the past 3.5 years, noting in particular that “It seems that Nikolas is a vocal opposition and DISY is a silent ruling party.”
“I am in politics primarily because of the Cyprus issue, but I do not underestimate the economic problems. I’m here because I see opportunities—not for someone to manage the status quo, but for someone who can bring about radical reforms.”
READ ALSO: Clouds of civil strife are gathering in Pindarou: Anita joins the race, confusion surrounds Averof
The former DISY President also commented on the campaign of Fidias Panagiotou, arguing that a 25-year-old has grasped the essence of the problems facing society—such as demographic issues, housing, and pensions—unlike some who have been in politics for decades.
“We have 18,000 Cypriots turning 18. Why not give them 50,000 euros as a social dividend? We had a billion to give away (for a public sector pay raise)—don’t we have the money to support our young people?”
When asked if there are people who support his candidacy, Mr. Neophytou replied that “my true friends have always been by my side—and will be even closer to me after 2023.”
READ ALSO: President on developments in DISY: Too early for an election campaign
