The rumors of an informal deal between Averof and Annitas, the pre-election maneuvers, and the wild card named Giorgos Pamporidis

Averof Neophytou’s move to create a WhatsApp group to promote his political initiatives did more than just reinforce the belief that he is preparing for the 2028 presidential race. It has broadened the discussion about who will ultimately be the party’s chosen candidate. Has an informal agreement been reached with Anita Dimitriou that he will be DISY’s presidential candidate for 2028, or will he compete against her for the nomination? Before the situation between the two became clear, however—and while many were awaiting Averof Neophytou’s announcements— it was Giorgos Pamboridis who beat them to the punch and shook things up. Not only did he officially express his desire to be the party’s candidate for 2028, he also made accusations specifically targeting high-ranking party officials, claiming that, as he put it, he was under attack during the pre-election campaign. Giorgos Pamboridis’s statements, combined with the moves by both Annita Dimitriou and Averof Neophytou, confirm that the party has entered the presidential race. And this summer will be anything but quiet for Pindarou.

The Secret Deal

Direct Democracy’s support for Annita Dimitriou came as a surprise to many. For those well-versed in party politics, it was yet another move linked to Averof Neophytou. This is because he himself—at the request of the DISY President—intervened to persuade Fidias Panagiotou to tip the scales in her favor and support her for the Speaker of the House. This alliance, combined with Averof Neophytou’s recent moves, has reinforced the belief of many that there was an informal agreement between the Speaker and the former Speaker. The former Speaker would mediate so that Anita Dimitriou could retain the Speakership, and she would then give him her turn to run for the presidency. Whether such an informal agreement existed, whether it is an urban legend, or whether it was later reneged upon, remains unknown at this time. What is certain, however, is that both Anita Dimitriou and Averof Neophytou have their sights set on 2028. And if there is one thing both have demonstrated throughout their political careers, it is determination.  

Ready to Go

Averof Neophytou made it clear—even on the day he stepped down as DISY president—that he is not retiring from politics. It was he himself who threw Annita Dimitriou into the internal party battle when he saw that the polls were not in his favor. And he made it clear upon leaving that he would remain politically active. He immediately set up his political office in central Nicosia and made regular political statements that often contradicted the party’s official position. And he largely followed his own independent course. He maintained close contacts with the diplomatic community, especially at a time when the Cyprus issue is once again taking center stage. It is said that he has built a close relationship with the United Nations Special Envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Olguín, has met informally with the Turkish Cypriot leader, and has firsthand knowledge of what is unfolding in Cyprus. The big question is what might change the dynamics of his candidacy today compared to 2023. He is now free from the wear and tear and burdens that come with the party presidency and has been liberated from any ties to Nicos Anastasiades. He does not feel that his support is necessary to win the race, as it was in 2023 when he was President of the Republic, and he no longer hides his disagreements with Anastasiades. He has built a campaign narrative centered on the Cyprus issue—positioning himself as the person who can resolve it—though it is by no means certain that this will work in his favor. Unlike in the past, he has worked to strengthen his relationship with the Synergistic base; never misses an event, and has sought—through his actions in the parliamentary elections—to dispel any lingering doubts that he might undermine the party’s leadership. He already has significant support within the party’s collective bodies; moreover, he has established a team of volunteers in various districts, while staff members are already working daily on his campaign team. In a battle, therefore, for the party’s grassroots base—especially with a weakened Nicos Anastasiades due to his departure from the presidency and the findings regarding the “Mafia State”——Averof Neophytou appears to believe he has the lead over Annita Dimitriou. The problem for Averof Neophytou is whether he will manage to become a widely accepted candidate.  Whether he can this time counter the anti-Averof protest vote that helped elect Nikos Christodoulides—and, above all, whether he will manage to secure alliances with other parties.

The Alliance Card

In contrast to Averof Neophytou, however, some Synergatiki members view the issue of alliances as Anita Dimitriou’s key trump card. This is because if she gains support from another party, she will have the lead as a candidate. Synergatiki officials note that she had expressed her desire to run in the presidential election some time ago, and this seems to be favored by other high-ranking Synergatiki officials. Some who aspire to take over the presidency of DISY, such as Efthymios Diplaros and others, view their move to a ministerial post positively. After all, this was the main topic of discussion between DISY and DIKO immediately following the parliamentary elections. With top-tier officials asking DIKO to support Anita Dimitriou for the Speakership of the House and to agree from that moment on that Nikolas Papadopoulos —in addition to being the next Speaker of the House—would be the co-leader of her administration. She herself mentioned this to DIKO officials, stating that as soon as she receives the nomination for the presidential election, she will hand over the Speakership to Nikolas Papadopoulos.

The question, of course, is how easy it will be for DIKO to support Anita Dimitriou. It is not just the difficulty Nikolas Papadopoulos faces in convincing his officials to leave the government, given that half of his leadership is part of Nikos Christodoulides’ cabinet. It is also the fact that she herself has not managed to build relationships with DIKO officials and the party’s grassroots, just as the President of the Republic has. According to DIKO circles, the only way to foster a climate of cooperation is for Anita Dimitriou to become the new Nikos Christodoulides. In other words, she must emerge as the most popular candidate in upcoming polls so that—due to the perception of victory—the coalition parties, such as DIKO, will rally behind her.

With her own team

Of course, Anita Dimitriou herself will not be relying solely on DIKO’s support. She has realized that the battle for the party’s grassroots base will be difficult due to the support the former DISY President still enjoys, and has therefore begun building her own team. It is no coincidence that she has reshuffled her shadow cabinet and revamped her team, with Onoufrios Koulas taking the lead both as press secretary and as DISY director. She has strengthened the team with Elena Kousiou, who is close to Nikos Christodoulides, as well as with the addition of Haris Georgiadis. Not only because of his political experience and his differences with Averof Neophytou, but also because he serves as an important bridge between Pindaros and the Center.

Giorgos Pamporidis’s wedge

However, even though the race had been portrayed until the day before yesterday as a two-way contest, Giorgos Pamboridis must not be left out of the picture. Mr. Pamporidis’s candidacy in the parliamentary elections was viewed by many as the first step toward his future political ambitions. He had admitted in the past that he was interested in the Presidency of the Republic, but he reiterated this last Thursday during a podcast on ANT1 with journalist Theseus Ioannou. He made it clear that he, too, is interested in entering the race for the nomination, while acknowledging, however, that he does not have the same access to the party base that Dimitriou and Neophytou do. Giorgos Pamboridis is considered one of the main reasons—along with Dimitris Dimitriou—that Nicosia fared well in the parliamentary elections. Although he appeals to a broader audience of disillusioned Synergatiki supporters who rallied around him with the aim of bringing about change within DISY, as well as centrist voters, it does not currently appear to have the necessary support within the Alarmist base. Support that could secure him the nomination as a presidential candidate.  This, combined with his conflict with Averof Neophytou and Efthymios Diplaros, sends the message that there will be turmoil. And that the selection of the presidential candidate will not be a smooth process within DISY.