Demetriou withdraws from Disy’s 2028 presidential nomination contest

Nicosia, Cyprus. Disy leader Annita Demetriou has withdrawn from the contest for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination, leaving Averof Neophytou and George Pamborides to compete. The announcement followed a meeting between the three at the party’s headquarters in Nicosia that ended on Thursday afternoon.

Consultations to seek consensus

Consultations began earlier on Thursday to seek agreement on a candidate and maintain party unity. Demetriou told members of the party’s executive office that morning that she planned to meet everyone interested in the nomination.

Reports earlier in the day said Demetriou was prepared to step aside on condition that Neophytou participate in the party’s internal process rather than run independently. One reported condition was that he commit to supporting whoever Disy members choose, even if he lost.

Pamborides calls for talks

The meeting followed an appeal by Pamborides for the three to hold talks and ease the dispute within the party.

Party sources welcomed his initiative but expressed doubts about its prospects, saying earlier attempts by senior figures to broker an understanding had failed.

Neophytou’s candidacy

Neophytou announced on September 27 that he would stand in the 2028 presidential election, citing the deadlock in the Cyprus problem following high-level contacts in New York.

He said his campaign would focus on the country’s major problems and, above all, reunification. Since then, he has repeatedly said that he “will not be dragged behind anyone”.

His camp has been collecting the signatures required to submit a candidacy within the party.