The public debate, set against the backdrop of a secret dinner at a seafood tavern in the capital, continues. This morning, Chris Panayiotou, the publisher and confidant of Anita Dimitriou, launched an attack on Averof Neophytou, claiming that he met with him in the presence of the DISY president in his capacity as publisher, denying that he had promised him support in the presidential election in exchange for the reelection of Anita Dimitriou as Speaker of the House.
“Who on earth could bind an entire party over a plate of food? It shows just how low you’re willing to stoop when your plans don’t work out. You won’t use my name to write history the way it suits you.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
READ ALSO: Chris vs. Averoff: The dinner at the seafood tavern, the “joking” agreement, the champagne and whiskey that shape political decisions
Also present at the dinner was Dionysis Dionysiou, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Politis.”
The former president of DISY chose not to follow up on what was discussed that evening, but he did make a scathing statement.
“Neither dinners nor menus nor wines nor champagne determine my political decisions. The only thing I can say to put this matter to rest is that he did not meet with me in his capacity as a publisher.”
READ ALSO: Averof on Alpha: “A fox can’t be caught in a trap, but they caught me off guard”
Something he left hanging.
Drop by drop
Averof Neophytou’s intentions remained unclear even at today’s press conference, with him stating that once he has made his decisions, he will announce them.
“I announced my candidacy for the presidential race without any preconceived notions about the process and without excluding anyone. I am not running just to run.”
READ ALSO: “I Want to Lead”: Averof Neophytou Responds to DISY’s Procedures and to Chris Panayiotou
His bitterness toward Pindarou, however, is evident, with sources telling Alpha that he does not trust members of the current leadership nor the deputy chairman, who, according to the party’s bylaws, takes charge of the respective election campaign to support him in the event that he wins the internal party battle. His suspicion leaves the door open for a run as an independent candidate.
“Aloupos isn’t one to be caught off guard. Others were like that. To err twice is not the mark of a wise man. Averof never tried to have it both ways.”
READ ALSO: Pamporidis Sees an “Operetta” in DISY: He Strongly Criticizes Those Outside the System and Speaks of a “Recipe for Disaster”
“The (op)position isn’t convincing”
For the party’s former president, the leadership fails to convince people that it is in the opposition—a fact he believes will cost Anita Dimitriou her candidacy.
“How, in the final stretch of the presidential election, do you think you can be the alternative for power when society is convinced that you are a silent co-ruling party? Nikolas Papadopoulos has made his differences with President Christodoulides far more evident than DISY has.”
Although he insists he will run as a candidate without any baggage, he denies being in official talks with any parties, but he does confirm close contact with Fidias Panagiotou, whom he praises on the “Alpha News” program.
“A young man has achieved what none of us have. He’s captured the essence that resonated with a segment of my own political base.”
READ ALSO: “You who get away with it…”: What was said at a dinner at a seafood tavern between Averof, Annita, and her “closest associate”
He feels betrayed by those who undermined him and won’t let anyone point a finger at him, while he’s building his team—as he assures—from his true friends…
“My friends have never betrayed me, and they stand by me even more than they did in 2023.”
Watch Evangelos Agapios’s report:
