Intense interactions with the leadership, top-tier officials, and candidates vying for the nomination
In 2023, one of the issues that dominated the election campaign was what Nicos Anastasiades would do behind the scenes, given that while he publicly stated his support for Averof Neophytou, it was widely believed behind the scenes that he was backing Nicos Christodoulides. Five years later, the question of what Nikos Anastasiades’ role will be has resurfaced, as he engages in consultations, meetings, and phone conversations with the key players.
Behind-the-scenes meetings and phone calls
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
DIKO: What’s next after Anita?
DISY: A party with one ballot and two candidates
The reality is that for several days now, Nikos Anastasiades has been engaged in a series of consultations and meetings, emphasizing the need to avoid a deeper rift that would widen divisions within DISY.
According to information from “Alpha tis Kyriakis,” on Thursday Nikos Anastasiades met with Giorgos Pamboridis and is also in contact with Averof Neophytou. He is reportedly telling both of them that there is no room for factions, personal agendas, or infighting. The former president’s outreach has also included other figures who have recently played a leading role in DISY’s internal party affairs, such as the publisher of the newspaper “ALETHEIA” and long-time party stalwart Frixos Koulermos.
Communication with Anita and Diplaros’s Position
Of particular interest, however, is the close contact Nikos Anastasiades has been maintaining with Annita Dimitriou these days. During a phone conversation, she expressed her conviction that her withdrawal was the best decision amid the internal party turmoil. According to sources, she believes that the DISY President can ensure her political survival with this decision, since a potential electoral defeat would call into question her position at the party’s helm. It appears he advised her to be patient and avoid making any more rash moves, as the timing may not be ideal for her.
It should be noted that earlier this week, Nikos Anastasiadis also met with the party’s deputy chairman, Efthymios Diplaros, who clearly stated to the former chairman that he would support Averof Neophytou, according to sources close to him.
The “code” of criteria and advice for the candidates
However, no matter how feverishly the former President of the Republic is working behind the scenes, all signs indicate that he will choose not to take a position on what he will do in the internal party elections. On the one hand, to avoid being held responsible for whatever the outcome may be, and on the other, because he is no longer active in politics.
In his communications with Annita Dimitriou, the two candidates, and members of DISY’s highest bodies, he urges them to proceed with a clear compass and criteria: They should not be swayed by the scourge of personal ambition and insubordination; they should assess their electability; and they should not ignore Nikos Christodoulides’s potential influence within the party.
The former President of the Republic appears to believe that the party should not move forward blindly. On the contrary, it would be wise for DISY to seek consultations and alliances with other parties in advance. In fact, the party’s leading figures themselves should assess whether they can bring other forces on board, given that the goal should be to reach the second round of the elections.
Speaking to the candidates, Nicos Anastasiades highlighted how he himself acted on three occasions while serving as party president. In the 2003 presidential election, when the party was split between Markidis and Clerides, as well as during the defection of party officials in 2004 over the Annan Plan. As he pointed out, despite the internal strife, he found a way at the time to bring back party officials and members by smoothing over the rifts. To Annita Dimitriou, as well as to Averof and Pamporidis, he recalled his stance during the 2008 presidential election, when—realizing the difficulties he would face in being elected as a “black sheep,” nominated Giannakis Kasoulides as the faction’s candidate rather than himself. A position he reiterated many times during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Nikos Christodoulides enters the picture
The big question, of course, is what the party can do in the event that he is eliminated in the second round—an issue that appears to be on the mind of the former President of the Republic. According to reports, Nikos Anastasiades believes there should be a clear direction for the party’s next steps. Although this falls within the realm of long-term speculation, he also raises the possibility that DISY might support Nicos Christodoulides if he ultimately advances to the second round. This would be a tactic to prevent Synagermika members from supporting the AKEL candidate, as indeed happened in 2023.
Even though the former president emphasizes that the party’s candidate must be supported, reliable sources for “Alpha on Sunday” point out that during the parliamentary election period, he had voiced a line of thinking—in conversations with his close associates—regarding DISY’s relationship with Nicos Christodoulides. He believed that a pan-Cypriot conference should be convened to examine, among other things, the possibility of supporting Nikos Christodoulides in the first round in 2028. This would come after first gauging the extent of the President of the Republic’s acceptance among DISY members. This is because, according to his own assessment, it would be a very difficult undertaking for DISY to be in the opposition, given that the two sides hold nearly identical positions on almost every issue. The final say on the party’s direction would rest with the rank-and-file members themselves.
However, sources tell *Alpha tis Kyriakis* that such a scenario is now out of the question, even in the former president’s mind, given DISY’s decision to run independently.
The Meeting with Haris Georgiadis
In recent days, quite a few party officials have been wondering whether Nicos Anastasiades intends to back a specific associate of his for the internal party elections. This was especially true after it was confirmed that Ionas Nikolaou was interested in the nomination. It is well known that Nikos Anastasiades maintains close ties with his two former ministers and associates, Haris Georgiadis and Ionas Nikolaou. Both contacted the former President of the Republic, who urged them not to take any steps toward seeking the nomination in the party’s internal elections for the presidency of the Republic.
Well-informed sources report that Nikos Anastasiades met with Haris Georgiadis—with whom he maintains a fatherly relationship—on Thursday evening at his office. According to reports, he did not encourage him—as had been rumored in recent days—to run, but rather advised him not to enter the race since “it is now too late.” This was due to the expression of interest by Giorgos Pamporidis—that is, another candidate besides Averof Neophytou—and the broader shape of the pre-election landscape. He appears to have given similar advice to Ionas Nikolaou as well, according to sources close to him, telling him to step back for the same reasons.
Despite his attempts to dissuade him, Nicos Anastasiades reportedly told his close associates—as well as Nikolaou himself—that Haris Georgiadis has the intelligence and the abilities and would ideally be able to run for president. He might even be the most suitable candidate within DISY, despite his limited popularity. In fact, there is a strong prevailing view—particularly among the former president’s inner circle— that Haris Georgiadis could put up a very strong fight against Averof Neophytou in the party primaries, if Giorgos Pamporidis—or, for that matter, anyone else—did not run.
Ionas Nikolaou had confirmed that he had received the nomination forms and that he was considering running in the party primary. Whether this was a publicity stunt to bring his name back into the public discourse or whether he genuinely intended to run, he ultimately changed his mind. On the other hand, Haris Georgiadis deliberately avoided making public statements following the developments within DISY, as he was unsure of what to do. He had, in fact, accepted advice from party officials to enter the race. Ultimately, however, Haris Georgiadis also decided not to run, given that there is another candidate in the party primaries besides Averof Neophytou, without, however, revealing who his preferred candidate would be.
