The Democratic Alarm does not rule out supporting Nicos Christodoulides if the party’s candidate is eliminated from the second round of the 2028 presidential election, said DISY President Annita Dimitriou.
When asked by a reporter to comment on Nikos Anastasiades’s statement regarding a preliminary agreement between DISY and Nikos Christodoulides for the second round of the presidential election, Ms. Dimitriou replied:
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“I understand the concern expressed by the former President of the Republic and by other officials who have voiced similar views. It is our concern as well—you know, I won’t beat around the bush today. It is also our concern that left-wing agendas and policies not come to power and, above all, that the Democratic Alarm remains united. From there on, in our view, the Democratic Alarm must be the pole around which the center-right unites. That is what we have said, and that is what we believe must happen to ensure our country continues on the necessary path.”
“These are issues that will be decided in due course by the collective bodies and, specifically, by the party leadership,” she adds.
When asked whether she rules out a collaboration between DISY and Nikos Christodoulides in the second round of the presidential election, she states that the goal is victory, without, however, ruling out the possibility.
“We’re not running in the election to lose; we believe that our choice will be one that convinces the citizens and, of course, will be able to advance to the second round. Above all, we must convince the public of our policy proposals and our vision for governance. Because we believe that Cyprus deserves better and must fare better in the coming years. That is what we need to discuss. And of course, it’s legitimate for various processes to take place among the political parties. Now is not the time—everything in its own time. We have a year and a half before the presidential election, and everything will proceed as it should.”
Responding to a comment that his political reporting on the Democratic Alarm is monopolizing attention, he states that it does so because he realizes that “it’s often more interesting to focus on internal matters and gossip than on the pressing political issues that, in my opinion, are paramount in the public sphere.”
“I’ve weighed the pros and cons. I believe our people feel relieved by my decision, whose sole purpose was precisely to contribute to unity. Unity isn’t achieved overnight. I want to remind you that we’ve had a similar discussion before, when we assumed our leadership role following the previous events. It takes time. We must be the first to take that extra step. We must be the first to take a step back where necessary. And, of course, we all need to work together collectively and as one so that we can truly ensure unity in practice. And that is what we will all be working on together in the immediate future.”
When asked whether she supports Pamporidis’s proposal—namely, that the candidate who does not receive the DISY “nomination,” to remain and support the candidate elected through the internal party process, she states that this is not Mr. Pamporidis’s proposal.
“My friend George is right. It is a commitment and, of course, a prerequisite. I did not hide it; I also mentioned it in the statement I issued when I announced my own withdrawal, that I have already spoken with the two other candidates and they have committed to supporting one another. It is a prerequisite and must certainly be done.”
When asked to clarify whether Averof Neophytou has committed to supporting Giorgos Pamboridis if he is elected, she answers in the affirmative. “Of course there is, and vice versa on the part of Mr. Pamboridis; if you will, that was also the aim of this decision, which I made personally,” she stated emphatically.
