Five cardboard boxes—one from each district of free Cyprus—marked with the inscription “Averof 2028” in blue and orange, arrived at the Democratic Alarm’s headquarters on Thursday afternoon, Averof Neophytou, who is seeking the party’s nomination for the presidential election.
The boxes, which were unloaded from Mr. Neophytou’s vehicle using a handcart, specifically contained 3,050 signatures from party members in support of his candidacy for the internal party primary to be held on November 28, 2026.
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As reported by journalist Evangelos Agapiou on Alpha’s main newscast, among the 3,000 signatures is that of the party’s president, Anita Dimitriou, who, according to reports, is also expected to sign in support of Giorgos Pamporidis’s candidacy. The party’s Deputy President, Efthymios Diplaros, who, according to reports, is not expected to sign in support of Mr. Pamporidis.
Furthermore, sources close to Averof Neophytou said that there were several others willing to sign in support of his candidacy for the nomination, but there was not enough time to count the additional signatures.
As reported by journalist Evangelos Agapiou, Averof Neophytou reportedly had a meeting that morning in Limassol with former President Nicos Anastasiades, though it is not known whether he signed in support of his candidacy.
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Mr. Neophytou, upon submitting the 3,000 signatures, stated that he submitted the documents today in anticipation of the filing of candidacies on Monday, October 26, 2026, and to allow sufficient time for the relevant DISY bodies to conduct the necessary review.
“What matters is the support from the thousands of members—the rank-and-file members of DISY—as well as nearly all of the party’s officials. There is one message I want to send: United together for a better tomorrow, for a just society, and for a reunited and secure homeland.”
When asked if he considers his victory in the DISY internal elections a foregone conclusion—hence the printing of cardboard boxes bearing the inscription “Averof 2028”— he replied that he has confidence “in the people of this party, with whom I have spent 50 of my 65 years.”
“Some brought me into the party, others and I grew up together in this party, and some are like my own children.”
When asked to send a message to Giorgos Pamporidis or his other opponents, Mr. Neophytou said it would be a celebration of democracy.
“I’m glad we’ll have the opportunity to engage in a battle of ideas. Giorgos—as I’ve said many times— is a politician with a firm political stance and well-defined political views, and I look forward to this healthy competition, which will ultimately bring us all together in a united effort aimed primarily at changing the way the country is governed.”
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