The former’s presence at Pindarou, along with the double talk and the deafening silence of Anita Dimitriou

When, last Tuesday, the Anti-Corruption Authority released the findings of its investigation into the “Mafia State,” Democratic Alarm found itself confronted with what it had long feared.

The Authority’s findings served to reinforce the belief that had long been entrenched in public opinion: that “something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

The euphoria that prevailed in Pindarou following the electoral success in the parliamentary elections has now given way to deep concern. This is because the double-talk of party officials and the internal grumbling suggest that DISY is in a state of complete disarray.

The once-all-powerful leader of the Alarm Party, and the potential offenses —some of which are criminal—that will be investigated against him, are driving the party into a dead end and casting a heavy shadow over its path ahead of the presidential election.

Anastasiades’ visit to Pindarou

The written statement issued by Nikos Anastasiades immediately following the Anti-Corruption Authority’s announcements was drafted by him personally at the offices of the Democratic Alarm, where he went immediately after meeting with his legal advisors.

According to information obtained by “Alpha on Sunday,” during his time there he had no contact whatsoever or discussion with the party leadership, as a meeting of the party’s parliamentary caucus, chaired by Anita Dimitriou, was taking place in Parliament at the same time.

Anita “on the sidelines” and business as usual

Ever since the Authority’s announcements, Annita Dimitriou has kept her distance, choosing to remain silent. In the wake of the public relations blunder involving the video with Pheidias, the DISY President visited the leadership of SEK and met with the Archbishop, without, however, making the slightest public statement on the developments.

As expected, her stance sparked grumbling in Pindarou. A telling comment from an alarmed party official in *Alpha tis Kyriakis*: “Anita sat on the sidelines and let the others fight in the ring.”

From the very beginning, however, Synergismos, though stunned, chose to play defense by calling for the immediate appointment of independent criminal investigators to look into every allegation, while respecting the presumption of innocence.

Its defense, however, lasted only until AKEL launched a coordinated attack. Through press releases, the appearance of its officials on television panels, and social media, the left-wing party accused Nicos Anastasiades and DISY of humiliating the state, the erosion of institutions, and a massive feast at the expense of the Cypriot people.

Taking up the gauntlet, Synagermos returned fire at Ezekia Papaioannou by dredging up the tragedy of 2011. Recalling that she did not respect the findings regarding the Mari incident and that she denounced the findings regarding the economy, DISY accused AKEL of a sinful past and of having only one concern: returning to power in 2028.

Double-talk and a smokescreen

In contrast to the Democratic Rally, which from the outset expressed its respect for the findings, former President Anastasiades “dismissed” the Anti-Corruption Authority. Rejecting the allegations against him, he accused the Authority’s officials of “lacking the necessary strong will to resist populism.”

Efthymios Diplaros fully endorsed the former President’s narrative. Speaking on the panels of the midday talk shows, the Deputy President of DISY argued that during his press conference, Nicos Anastasiades “debunked the claims one by one,” adding that “a fair-minded observer will see who is right and who is wrong.”

Diplaros’ public statements, as well as Fotini Tsiridou’s statement on RIK that AKEL is outside the democratic spectrum because it is calling for the resignation of the heads of the Legal Service, caused a stir in Pindarou.

Relief and relief

When, on Wednesday morning, Dimitris Dimitriou expressed his view to LegalMatters that it would be ideal for Nicos Anastasiades to make things easier for the party and voluntarily step aside from its collective bodies, there were quite a few who argued that the DISY Parliamentary Spokesperson had the courage to say what many wanted to say but did not dare to voice.

It was a discussion that had begun behind the scenes, yet no one could bring it up openly. It is telling that, despite the extent to which the issue had escalated, the party leadership did not proceed to convene the Political Bureau to hear the views of its members.

Apparently realizing the repercussions that continuing the public debate on this issue would have on the party, at noon that same day, Nikos Anastasiadis informed Anita Dimitriou by phone of his intention to abstain from attending the meetings of the collective bodies, until the truth about the allegations against him comes to light.

In his written statement, he noted, “I will not allow anyone to believe that they can harm the party, of which I was a co-founder and which I have served with dedication for the past 50 years.” A message intended for audiences both outside and, above all, within Pindarou.

This move did indeed make things easier for the leadership, but it also brought the different factions within the party back to the surface.

Efthymios Diplaros noted that Dimitris Dimitriou was expressing his personal opinion, emphasizing pointedly that the party’s position is articulated by the President, the Deputy President, and the Press Secretary.

Haris Georgiadis expressed his disagreement with Anastasiades’ decision to abstain from DISY’s collective bodies, as, according to him, the former President of the Republic has not even been charged.

Is this permissible or not?

Amid this difficult and trying situation for the party, the Democratic Rally is organizing an event next Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding.

There, in the absence—as all indications suggest—of Nikos Anastasiades, Anita Dimitriou will be called upon before party officials and supporters to address the issue for the first time. To reveal her intentions regarding the question that has long been hanging over Pindarou Street.

Can the Democratic Alarm—and if so, how—distance itself from Nikos Anastasiadis’s position?