With Averof Neophytou and George Pamporidis by her side, Anita Dimitriou, President of the Democratic Alarm, announced at 5:00 p.m. today her decision not to seek the party’s “nomination” for the 2028 presidential election, citing the need to preserve unity and prevent division.
SEE ALSO: Anita Out of the “Race”: Averof and Pamboridis Are the Rivals in DISY’s Internal Party Primaries for the Presidential Nomination
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Following a lengthy joint meeting with Messrs. Neophytou and Pamboridis, she explained that this was her own decision, made “without pressure” and under the weight of the responsibility she bears as the guardian of the party’s democratic processes—which will be upheld—and of the verdict, which will be respected.
“Over the past few days, I’ve been speaking with our people, and I’ve been hearing and understanding their anxiety about the risk of DISY splitting again. That would be disastrous for both the party and the country. And it would also have negative consequences for our final effort. It is my responsibility as President not to allow this to happen.”
READ ALSO: “Bombshell” from Annita: Reports that she is withdrawing from the race for the DISY nomination
Ms. Dimitriou noted that DISY is bigger than any individual and that, for her, the unity and cohesion of the party take precedence, explaining that the decision not to seek the “nomination” is entirely her own.
“I have always engaged in politics with clarity and honesty—with the people, for the people, for DISY, and for our country. This is entirely my own decision, made without any pressure, and we are here for one purpose: DISY and the country. We laid it all out and discussed it. This is what our members and leaders wanted, and that is why this decision was made. And this is how we will proceed until the final stretch.”
READ ALSO: Attempts at Reconciliation Within DISY: Critical Meetings Between Annita, Averof, and Pamboridis Regarding the Presidential “Endorsement”
The DISY President made it clear that no preconditions or conditions were attached to her decision to withdraw from the internal party “race,” emphasizing that the decision was made in response to concerns expressed by DISY supporters that the party should move forward united.
“As party president, I felt that I, too, should participate in this process. However, I see how things are unfolding, and precisely because DISY must move forward united—there is no other option—this is the decision I must make as President; I have made it, and we are moving forward.”
READ ALSO: Averof Neophytou: He’s thrown himself into the battle to collect signatures; speculation is running high about an intra-party candidacy
When asked to comment on Averof Neophytou’s remarks about a “rigged deck,” Ms. Dimitriou assured that procedures were strictly followed.
“DISY is a party in which members democratically decide on their candidate, and my colleagues have the right to participate in this process; as party president, I have a duty to ensurethe process, and that is what will happen.”
Averof Neophytou and Giorgos Pamporidis reserved the right to issue written statements later in the day.
READ ALSO: Averof is making phone calls to secure signatures: What Kousiou expects to happen in the DISY internal elections
The background to the joint meeting
Prior to the announcement of Ms. Dimitriou’s decision, separate meetings were held with Neophytou and Pamboridis that lasted approximately two and a half hours, while DISY’s Executive Bureau met that morning to discuss internal party procedures.
Reports from Alpha Cyprus mention the presence of the publisher of the newspaper “Alithia,” Frixos Koulermos, at the office of the DISY President prior to the joint meeting with Averof and Pamporidis. The same sources report that Ms. Dimitriou also met today with a close associate, who reportedly suggested ways to foster unity within the party.
