Disy founding member Koulermos denies pressuring Demetriou and Pamborides

Nicosia, Cyprus. Disy founding member Frixos Koulermos on Saturday rejected claims that he pressured or blackmailed party leader Annita Demetriou and MP George Pamborides. Demetriou, who withdrew from the race for the party’s presidential nomination on Thursday, also denied that she had been pressured.

Koulermos rejects allegations

Koulermos, who is also publisher of the Alithia newspaper, said he had been accused “dozens of times” over the previous 24 hours of threatening and slandering Demetriou and Pamborides.

He said only “politically immoral and malignant people” could interpret his role in that way. Although he described the claims as “unworthy of comment”, he said he felt obliged to “set out the facts”.

Account of the meeting

Koulermos said he went alone to the party offices at Demetriou’s invitation, as one of those who had helped build Disy and were concerned about what he described as “Trojan horses” causing problems within the party.

According to his account, former party leader Averof Neophytou arrived later following a separate invitation.

The three then went to Demetriou’s office, where, Koulermos said, she announced without prior discussion that she intended to withdraw from the race for Disy’s presidential nomination to restore party unity.

Demetriou said she would telephone Pamborides and asked the two men to stay and listen. Koulermos said they subsequently exchanged views and ideas.

He said those who “gave our souls for this party” do not resort to such practices.

Demetriou says withdrawal was her decision

Demetriou announced her withdrawal on Thursday. Disy will select its presidential candidate through an internal ballot in November ahead of the 2028 election.

Appearing on several television channels on Friday, Demetriou denied being pressured, saying the withdrawal was her personal suggestion in response to party members’ concerns.