Unfortunately, we are living in an era where anything goes. And that in itself is extremely dangerous for the future
Averof Neophytou’s move to leave open the possibility of running for the Presidency of the Republic outside of DISY not only highlighted the deep rift within the party. It confirmed that the political game is now being played without rules.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
To date, the DISY President has not denied that an informal agreement was reached between Averof Neophytou and herself following the parliamentary elections. Because she wanted to be re-elected Speaker of the House, she asked Mr. Neophytou to secure the votes of Pheidias Panagiotou. On the condition that he would limit himself to this role and clear the way for her to run for the presidency as the Democratic Alarm’s candidate.
Whether this is true or not, what is certain is that Anita Dimitriou has demonstrated throughout her political career that the rules have, to a greater or lesser extent, been a burden to her. It wasn’t just that she agreed to make such a humiliating video with Fidias Panagiotou. It was also how easily she set aside an entire party’s mantra of “we don’t play games with the economy” in that video just to secure a seat for herself. A political stance as murky as the interests involved. With the party in the opposition when it suited her and tacitly in the coalition when she was courting Christodoulides’ voters. With some Christodoulides supporters being excluded and others being included on the electoral slates and in the shadow cabinet. Against this backdrop, her desire to run for the Presidency of the Republic was confirmed last summer. But even there, moral boundaries appeared to be disregarded with the deliberate leak of the Pindarou polls. Not only because the discussion and the leak took place before António Guterres had even left Cyprus—which made it clear that not even the pretense of what their priorities are is being maintained— But also because it reinforced the impression that Anita Dimitriou wanted to get ahead of Averof Neophytou. By capitalizing on—with the apparent lead she held among Synergatiki candidates—the perception of victory. And thus forcing him to withdraw.
However, just as Pindarou operates on an à la carte basis, what Averof Neophytou is attempting to do is equally problematic for political institutions. Because we’re not talking about a political figure who just appeared on the political scene yesterday. Some newcomer who doesn’t know the rules of politics. He was President of DISY for a full ten years and, by extension, the guardian of its charter. What conclusion can be drawn when the former President of DISY—who, incidentally, had called on Nikos Christodoulides in 2023 to compete with him for the party nomination in the internal party process— leaves open the possibility of bypassing the internal party process? That the procedures are neither transparent nor impartial. And what precedent does this set for a party’s reputation? How can anyone who rises through the ranks of a party subsequently trample on the party bylaws, circumvent principles, and disregard collective decisions for the sake of their personal ambitions?
But it’s also about how all of this reflects on his own candidacy and credibility. Averof Neophytou is the person who calls himself a victim of defection. He based his entire 2023 campaign on appeals to partisan patriotism, labeling Nicos Christodoulides and those who secretly supported him as traitors and defectors. Today, Averof Neophytou is turning into the Nikos Christodoulides of 2023. In doing so, he is legitimizing his attempt to drive a wedge through the party. But also to exonerate the actions of 2023—the very ones he himself has condemned and denounced until now. They say that in life and in politics, we are defined by our bad choices. As understandable as it may be, therefore, to feel bitterness toward people he promoted who then turned their backs on him, it is equally absurd to nullify his entire political career. But what is unfolding goes beyond him and Pindarou.
Because even though politics has always been about serving interests and personal ambitions, we knew there were limits and rules. Unfortunately, we are in an era of unbridled cynicism. Where anything goes. And that, in and of itself, is extremely dangerous for the future.
