Yesterday was a big… Thursday for the Democratic Alarm, with behind-the-scenes activity in Anita Dimitriou’s office as she put the final pieces of the puzzle together for her resignation.
The timeline
The DISY president’s decision had been finalized by Wednesday night, despite the fact that for days she had been having second thoughts as she watched the political climate deteriorate. Yesterday morning, she ran into Giorgos Pamboridis in Parliament and told him she was considering stepping down, inviting him to her office on Pindarou Street that afternoon. There, she told him she would first meet with Averof Neophytou and then with both of them together.
“I tried to talk her out of it, but she seemed determined.” George Pamporidis
The decision was certainly hers, but the reality is that advice from various quarters—both political and personal—led her to reconsider her entry into the election campaign.
“I don’t feel betrayed; I feel more aware than ever, no matter how much we’re influenced by what’s happening. I didn’t give in to any blackmail, and my dignity remains intact. We cannot allow the impression that Anita Dimitriou made her decision because of one thing or another.” Anita Dimitriou, President of DISY
And another on the couch
A few minutes after 2:00 p.m., Frixos Koulermos and Averof Neophytou arrived at party headquarters. However, according to information from Alpha, another person playing a role in these developments was also coming and going from the office. This person is a party official in Larnaca, a personal friend of Anita Dimitriou, and also a close associate of Frixos Koulermos, who was in close contact with both of them. Two days ago, he met with Averof Neophytou in an effort to convince him—along with the party’s executive director—to run in the internal party election.
Koulermos and Averof turned the spotlight on the controversy that arose after the revelation about the dinner, while also addressing the dilemma regarding Anita Dimitriou’s political future should she lose the election, advising her to be patient for a few more years. The former president gave assurances that internal party procedures would be followed even if he were to lose.
Pamporidis’s Arrival
Around 3:00 p.m., Giorgos Pamporidis arrived at the office and stated that he would see it through to the end. Describing Frixos Koulermos as Averof Neophytou’s guardian, he claimed that the publisher of ALETHEIA had urged him to withdraw. This was an attempt, in the name of unity, to ensure that only Averof remained in the race.
“When we left the president’s office, Mr. Koulermos advised me to withdraw from the race.” George Pamporidis
Early this morning, George Pamporidis launched an unprecedented friendly overture toward the faction’s president, while also speaking out against those who undermined her.
For Averof Neophytou, a prerequisite for entering the internal party race with a commitment to follow proper procedures was the withdrawal of Anita Dimitriou.
See the report by Evangelos Agapios