In a lengthy statement, DISY MEP Loukas Fourlas reveals that, following the withdrawal of Annita Dimitriou’s candidacy for the party’s nomination in the 2028 presidential election, he became “the recipient of advice from party officials, as well as ordinary members of our party, to consider the possibility of submitting my own candidacy.”
However, he makes it clear that he was never interested in running for any high office and that his choice was, and remains, to serve the citizens from the position to which they have twice honored him with their vote, by electing him as a Member of the European Parliament.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
SEE ALSO: “Decision of Victory”: DISY Issues Statement on the Withdrawal of Annita Dimitriou’s
Candidacy
Read the statement in its entirety:
“The latest developments within the Democratic Rally, beyond the fact that they have cast our party in an unfavorable light, have created a new reality and compel all of us to take a serious stance, responsibility, and clear political discourse.
Following the decision by our President, Annita Dimitriou, to withdraw her interest in running for the Presidency of the Republic, I received encouragement from party officials, as well as from ordinary members of our party, to consider submitting my own candidacy.
I am deeply honored by this trust, and I thank them sincerely. For me, it is yet another acknowledgment of a journey that was not driven by personal ambition, but exclusively on hard work and the daily effort to address the problems plaguing our society, and has never been based on personal ambitions or personal agendas.
I would like, however, to reiterate with absolute clarity—something I have said in the past—that I have never been interested in seeking any high office. My choice has been, and remains, to serve the citizens from the position to which they have twice honored me with their vote by electing me as a Member of the European Parliament.
This does not mean, however, that I am observing developments within the Democratic Alarm without deep concern. On the contrary, I make no secret of my anxiety about the situation as it unfolds, nor my regret that my proposal was not heeded to avoid an internal party election process for selecting our candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
I believed, and continue to believe, that at this critical juncture, our highest priority should be dialogue, compromise, and the search for a mutually acceptable candidate.
A candidate who would put the party’s interests above all else and lay the groundwork for a strong and victorious campaign leading up to the presidential election.
The Democratic Alarm has a history, a responsibility toward the country, and an obligation to once again take a leading role at all levels of the country’s social and economic life—and, of course, to address the Cyprus problem with the seriousness it deserves.
Our party has leaders, a history, social roots, and a political legacy. Above all, it bears a responsibility toward the citizens who continue to look to it, especially in the wake of recent, unpleasant developments.
We have no right to disappoint the expectations of the members of Synagermos and the people who look to us, nor to allow our choices to undermine the party’s prospects.
We must all realize that, above individual figures, ambitions, and internal party procedures, there is the Democratic Alarm.
And above all, there is Cyprus.”
