Disy to field its own candidate in 2028 presidential election

Nicosia, Cyprus. Disy leader Annita Demetriou said on Tuesday that her party would field its own candidate in the 2028 presidential election and would not support President Nikos Christodoulides for a second term.

Opposition position

Speaking to CyBC, Demetriou said Disy was in opposition and would continue to support government policies with which it agreed, but would not back Christodoulides himself.

“No, we have made that clear. We are in opposition,” she said when asked whether Disy could support Christodoulides at the next presidential election.

She said the party would continue to exercise its role constructively and had the right to present its own political proposal for Cyprus’ future.

Candidate selection

Demetriou said no decision had yet been taken on Disy’s candidate, despite public speculation about possible contenders.

She acknowledged that her own name, that of former Disy leader Averof Neophytou and former health minister George Pamboridis had been discussed, but said the party’s internal procedures would be followed.

“There is nothing wrong with having ambitions,” she said, adding that party members should respect the party’s constitution and procedures.

Policy concerns

Demetriou said she believed there should be a centre-right and right-wing alliance ahead of the elections, describing this as part of Disy’s political identity.

She also called for targeted measures to address the cost-of-living crisis, which she described as the main issue facing ordinary people and households struggling to meet everyday needs.

Demetriou urged the government to make a clear political commitment to the Great Sea Interconnector and criticised what she described as mixed messages from the finance and energy ministries regarding the project.