The clash of two different worlds on the road to the nomination
Averof Neophytou and George Pamporidis are running in a primary race in an effort to attract as many Synagermikos voters as possible. The two are engaged in an election campaign unprecedented for the party, in the face of a process that has never before been attempted in the party’s history. The way they have been positioning themselves for weeks now is by no means coincidental, reflecting two completely different schools of thought and political mindsets.
Another Averof
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The Averof Neophytou of 2023 bears no resemblance to the one of 2026. Until the 2023 presidential election, most people accused him of being out of touch with the party’s base and with society itself. He himself admitted in interviews that his stance often cost him voters and led to misguided conclusions about him.
The “old” Averoff was more introverted, less communicative, and unapproachable to journalists. In contrast, his “new” persona came as a great surprise. The man who in 2023 spoke dismissively of “image-driven” politicians now appears to be staging a grand spectacle, such as Monday’s event at DISY, and ostentatiously arriving with boxes at Pindarou Street to submit his candidacy for the party’s nomination. In fact, this scene was foreshadowed hours earlier by his close associates in an effort to cultivate a buzz around him. He even chose to unveil the campaign logo, presenting his candidacy as a done deal, and to drive his own car there. This is a scene that has not been seen in at least several years during a public political appearance by the former DISY president.
His proposal to lift energy sanctions against Russia also came as a major surprise, since one would expect such a stance to come from a party like AKEL rather than from the former president of DISY. In fact, his remarks about people who are struggling to make ends meet reinforced the impression that he is pursuing a different political agenda.
The pursuit of and acknowledgment of the “mistake” of 2023
This change in his behavior is deliberate, as confirmed by members of his staff. Averof Neophytou believes that through extroversion and fostering a positive atmosphere, he can more easily convey his political convictions even to the most skeptical members of the Synergatiko party. Above all, however, he aims to make a resounding comeback in the country’s political life following his 2023 defeat and the loss of power within the party.
After all, he couldn’t just appear out of nowhere and submit his candidacy. The image of the five boxes containing 3,000 signatures, in contrast to the folder with 500 signatures discreetly submitted by his opponent, reveals the former DISY president’s intention to send a message of superiority and power. Not only toward Giorgos Pamboridis but also toward those who, over the years, believed that Averof Neophytou’s political demise was sealed in the 2023 presidential election.
It is also a fact that in 2023, Averof Neophytou did not fully appreciate the power of his image, the power of social media, his communication skills, and the importance of maintaining an open line of communication with his base. These are qualities that Nikos Christodoulides generally seemed to possess innately, and which Averof Neophytou realized in hindsight that he had wrongly underestimated. Recognizing this new trend in society, he is now attempting to adapt. In fact, it is no coincidence that he announced the day before yesterday that he is now focusing solely on the party’s grassroots and nothing else.
It is also worth noting that Donald Trump himself managed to get elected through scathing comments on social media, provocative rhetoric, and slogans—all of which undeniably captivate a large segment of the population.
Pamporidis, No “Frills”
George Pamporidis chose to keep a low profile during the submission of his candidacy. This was despite the barbs and accusations he leveled against his opponent following the withdrawal of Annita Dimitriou. Although he has drawn attention in the past for his strong personality, George Pamporidis is consciously keeping a lower profile, making it clear that he has never been one for image-building or political games.
From the outset, he stated that he was willing to withdraw from the race if only Anita Dimitriou remained in the running, thereby attempting to convey that he respects the institutional role of the party chairwoman and that he rightfully acknowledges she herself could run in the election. He indirectly implied that he would neither exert pressure nor engage in political maneuvering aimed at ousting her. She views this stance as favorable to her, in contrast to the accusations leveled by some against Averof Neophytou for “forcing” Annita Dimitriou to withdraw.
His stance during the submission of candidacies last Monday was also diametrically opposed to that of Averof Neophytou. Unlike his opponent, he chose to go to Pindarou Street accompanied only by his wife. According to sources close to him, he intended this to be a pointed message that the strength of a candidacy is not judged by the “entourage” of the candidate in question but by the presentation of his political positions and proposals.
That is why, just a few days after submitting his candidacy, he chose to call a press conference to present his political platform. Of course, the picture changed during the question-and-answer session when—in what some considered an awkward moment—he spoke of Averof Neophytou’s “nonsense,” referring to his proposal for energy sanctions against Russia. Behind the presentation of his policy positions likely lies his intention to set the stage for a debate with his opponent, in order to speak more extensively and with greater focus to the Synergatiko audience.
Behind Pamporidis’s presentation of his policies
The purpose of Giorgos Pamboridis’s press conference was not only to outline his political positions but also to highlight his differences from Averof Neophytou. He sought to highlight the internal party struggle between two individuals with completely different political views and distinct mindsets—even though both come from the same ideological and political camp.
George Pamporidis portrayed Averof Neophytou as part of a well-entrenched system and a servant of outdated mindsets rooted more in old-school party politics and the politics ofrather than on substance. Through this comparison, he sought to highlight his own strengths, presenting himself as a man who does not serve vested interests, is not controlled by anyone, and does not participate in shady backroom deals and wheeling and dealing. In this way, he is likely attempting to attract protest votes against Averof Neophytou. That is, the audience that either has never supported the former DISY president, believing that he serves the system and “is under every rock you turn over,” or who simply dislikes fanfare and media stunts.
Giorgos Pamporidis, however, has shown that he does not confine himself to a purely internal party process. He seeks to ensure that his message reaches a broader audience. After all, he believes he is a candidate who can attract a broad range of voters and that, if he secures the DISY nomination, he will be able to win over a wide range of votersbeyond those who identify with the “Alarm” movement. This is yet another difference that he believes gives him an advantage over his opponent. That is why he stated with confidence on Thursday that he will win the election if he receives the party’s nomination.
However, the first ones who must give him the green light are the “Synergist” members, to whom he tried to convey the message that in order for DISY to return to power—including through coalitions—they must vote for him in the party primaries.
The question is how—whether it’s Giorgos Pamboridis or Averof Neophytou—they will convince everyone the day after the internal party elections that the loser will side with the winner. It is well known that relations between Averof and Pamporidis have never been the best, with Giorgos Pamporidis himself stating that in 2023 he did not support Averof because they were rivals. On the other hand, Averof Neophytou avoided for days committing to support Pamboridis in the event that he himself did not receive the nomination.
The question, therefore, is not simply which of the two will prevail at the polls, but whether a deep personal and political rivalry between two very different people and politicians can be set aside the day after the election, so as not to create further rifts in the already wounded body of Pindarou.
