The ongoing power struggle within Synagermos, the differing agendas, and the absence of an undisputed leader to galvanize aspirations

When the discussion on the nomination of DISY’s presidential candidate officially began last week, quite a few people saw a repeat of 2023 unfolding. That is, when it became clear early on that both Averof Neophytou and Nikos Christodoulides would fight for the presidency until the very end. Being eliminated from the second round—and the internal strife that resulted from it—is precisely what, as they say on Pindarou Street, they want to avoid at all costs this time around. The question, of course, is what triggers this power struggle within DISY each time— whether it is indeed a déjà vu of 2023, or whether the contest for the presidency by more than one political figure has now become the inevitable norm within the right-wing party.  

With a history 

This is not a uniquely Cypriot phenomenon, nor is it a symptom exclusive to DISY, for there to be multiple candidates vying for top positions and, for the most part, challenging the party leader as the most suitable candidate for the presidency. We saw this happen in the Republican Party of France following Nicolas Sarkozy’s departure and François Fillon’s tumultuous candidacy. In Germany’s CDU following Angela Merkel’s departure, in Sánchez’s party in Spain a decade ago, in the Labour and Conservative parties after Brexit, and even in New Democracy before Kyriakos Mitsotakis was elected.  What’s interesting about Synergismo is that there have always been conflicting ambitions and differing political philosophies. A clash between Liberals and Conservatives has always been at the forefront. DISY’s founding leader, Glafkos Clerides, although he is now an undisputed leading figure in the party, had faced challenges in the past. Initially, there was an underground conflict with Yiannakis Matsis, the representative of the more populist right wing within DISY, but he also faced challenges while serving as President of the Republic. In 2003, as he was running for re-election, asking for a 16-month extension to resolve the Cyprus issue, and his former close associate Alekos Markidis ran against him for the presidency. This alone caused a deep rift within the party, and it took years to heal. However, Nicos Anastasiades did not win easily either. Ioannis Kasoulides ran against him for the party presidency, he faced criticism over the Annan Plan from the most hardline faction on the Cyprus issue, and when he ran for the presidency of the Republic in 2013, his candidacy was initially approved by the Supreme Council along with that of Eleni Theocharous. 

The political crash of 23 

In every ruling party, and wherever there is a diversity of voices, there are consequently heightened political ambitions. However, the situation in 2023 differed from the past. Personal agendas and political ambitions had become apparent from the very next day after Nicos Anastasiades’ reelection, perhaps because the countdown to Nicos Anastasiades’ departure had begun. Nikos Christodoulides was firmly established in the minds of even the then-President’s closest associates as his chosen successor. The reasons for how Nikos Christodoulides ended up running alongside the DISY presidential candidate, Averof Neophytou, vary.  

• Averof Neophytou had not managed to consolidate his power and prevail within DISY. On the contrary, he had managed to create a strong “anti-Neophytou” front during his presidency, which favored the existence of an internal party rival.  

• For a large segment of DISY members, Nicos Anastasiades continued to be the party’s leader. Both the close relationship he developed with Nikos Christodoulides and the rumors that he was secretly supporting him contributed positively to the latter’s election  

• DISY did not face a major challenge (resolution of the Cyprus problem or economic recovery) that would have allowed it to rally around Neophytou’s candidacy   

• Nikos Anastasiades’s decade-long tenure in government, combined with the rise in support for the center-right, created the impression that DISY could rule forever. And ruling parties always attract people with high ambitions  

No obvious successor 

The current situation within DISY shares some similarities with that of 2023, given that Nikos Christodoulides will be seeking both re-election and a portion of DISY’sHowever, the situation within DISY today differs from that of 2023. Those interested will run in accordance with the party’s bylaws, and if they do not receive the nomination, they will support the Synergistic candidate. This sends the message that while there are clearly ambitions, they are not of a nature that would lead to a split in the party. The reason why there is still such a crowd of people today—whether seeking the nomination or voicing an opinion on the chosen candidate—is more or less obvious.  

• The absence of strong, uncontested leadership  

• The absence of a clear political identity within DISY and the lack of a serious political challenge 

• The expansion of the Right (and the Far Right), which reinforces the perception that it will remain in power for some time by attracting figures with strong ambitions  

• The abrupt departure from the front lines of an army of party officials who still want to play a role and have a say in politics  

• A loosening of party discipline compared to the past, when strict party discipline was required   

• The change in the way the Synergatikos candidate for the presidential election is selected, which favors personal campaigns 

Anita’s Choices 

Anita Dimitriou has not managed to establish herself within the party as the undisputed leader of DISY; she has not built her own team, and consequently, she is not considered the obvious successor on the Right. This alone is leading to the emergence of other contenders in the race. Recently, however, she has been trying to keep key figures and forces close to her. It recognizes that there are centrifugal forces gravitating toward both Nikos Christodoulides and Averof Neophytou. It is by no means a coincidence that she is making full use of officials who were not elected in the parliamentary elections, as—based on past experience (and this does not refer to these specific individuals) —they have appeared to be the easiest targets. Either to distance themselves from the party, or, in the case of 2023, to follow Nikos Christodoulides. She is also making contacts in Athens to lay the groundwork, and has informed both Synergatiki and DIKO officials that her candidacy is a foregone conclusion. She has already realized that her popularity, combined with her position as Speaker of the House, constitutes her own strong trump card. An asset that Averof Neophytou did not have as DISY President and a candidate for the presidency in 2023. To secure the nomination, however, she is counting on support from other parties, such as DIKO, and a strong showing in the polls. Such a result would generate a wave of support for her from DIKO and pave the way for a withdrawal from the government. The leaked DISY poll results showing her in first place are by no means coincidental. After all, the polls were the catalyst that enabled Nikos Christodoulides to win allies and ultimately secure a victory.   

With the hard-core base 

Averof Neophytou is believed to have launched his election campaign the very day after his defeat. And sources estimate that his support for Anita Dimitriou —first for the DISY presidency and then for her reelection as Speaker of the House—was primarily aimed at ensuring that she, in turn, would give him the opportunity to run for the highest office. He realizes that his ambitions now clash with those of the DISY President and will attempt to pressure her to take a step back. Although sources close to him argue that internal party rivalries will lead to internal strife, should such a scenario materialize, he himself is counting on the influence he wields within DISY. He is believed to still have complete control over the hard-line core, maintains daily contact with party officials, and for some time now has established a team of volunteers in the provinces as well as an organizational staff at his office in Nicosia. This is expected to give him the necessary edge, especially if the election takes place in the fall rather than in March 2027, as many anticipate.  The big question for Averof Neophytou is whether, beyond the Synagermiko party’s base, he can appeal to a broader audience. That is his gamble—it was also his gamble in 2023—and it remains to be seen whether the situation will be any different today.  

The acceleration of the internal party elections certainly does not help Giorgos Pamboridis. He himself has admitted that he does not have the same access to the party’s grassroots base as his two opponents, and his relations with top-tier party officials are also considered strained. He does, however, have that foothold in the broader center-right, which some consider ideal for splitting the vote of Nikos Christodoulides. Whether his candidacy will go all the way remains to be seen. What is certain is that he will not run as an independent if he does not ultimately receive the party’s nomination. 

The Damage Christodoulides Could Cause to the “Synergatiko” Candidate  

The question that arises is how much damage Nikos Christodoulides’ candidacy could inflict on the “Synergistic” candidate and, by extension, on DISY. The dynamics and circumstances are not the same as they were back then. Nikos Christodoulides established himself in the public consciousness as the non-partisan candidate and was running against a candidate who had been tarnished by his time in power. Today, he himself must deal with the wear and tear of governing. In the presidential election, he had behind him a united front of the centrist camp and the—rumored—support of a powerful President of the Republic. Today, the two coalition parties are out of parliament, DIKO has one foot out the door, and Nicos Anastasiades no longer has the support he had back then. DISY’s strong showing is fostering a sense among SYNAGERMIS members that the party can return to power with its own candidate and thus contain the centrifugal forces. Its influence, however, will depend on two factors. Whether his candidacy is viewed as having more governing experience than that of the Alarmist candidate, and the stance he will take should there be serious developments in the Cyprus issue.    

The Missed Opportunity  

However, the atmosphere will be shaped not only by those vying for the nomination but also by the stance taken by officials who make up the “lost generation.” These are officials who played leading roles in the past decade but were sidelined when Nikos Christodoulides took the presidency and Annita Dimitriou took the helm at Pindarou. Haris Georgiadis, who was considered by many to be the next DISY president, may be keeping his distance when it comes to official positions, but he is playing his own role in the alliances of the 28th with the Center. He himself had stated that Averof Neophytou had completed his term, and conclusions are being drawn from this regarding the stance he will take. Ionas Nikolaou and Lefteris Christoforou are operating behind the scenes and maintain a very good relationship with President Christodoulides, while Nikos Tornaritis is now openly promoting Christodoulides’ candidacy within DISY. Party officials such as Efthymios Diplaros, Michalis Hatzipantelas, —some are also discussing Yiannis Karousos—are hoping for a candidacy by Annita Dimitriou so that they can vie for the DISY presidency. Meanwhile, prior to the serious allegations last February, one figure who was a strong contender for the presidency and enjoyed significant support within DISY was Faidonas Faidonos. This in itself confirms both the fluidity and the differing agendas within the party—agendas that do not share a common goal but will influence the political climate leading up to 2028.