European People’s Party pledges support for Disy’s 2028 election nominee

Nicosia, Cyprus. The European People’s Party said on Thursday it would support whichever candidate Disy selects for the 2028 elections through its internal election on November 28. The statement followed party leader Annita Demetriou’s withdrawal from the nomination race earlier that day.

Support for the members’ choice

“The European People’s Party will support whichever candidate wins Disy’s internal election, and will support and respect the will of the members of Disy,” a spokesperson for the pan-European centre-right political group told the Cyprus Mail.

Demetriou’s withdrawal leaves her predecessor, Averof Neophytou, and former health minister George Pamboridis as the two candidates currently seeking the nomination.

Internal election to proceed

Asked about Disy’s next steps, party MP Demos Georgiades told the newspaper: “There are still two candidates in the race, and so we will go ahead with our internal party elections and continue with our democratic procedures.”

Asked which candidate he would support, Georgiades said it would be more appropriate for those speaking on behalf of the party, particularly MPs, to avoid taking public positions and allow members to decide and express their will.

He said the party would then rally around whoever was elected as its nominee, whether one of the two declared candidates or another person.

Georgiades said he was not aware of any other potential candidates seeking the party’s nomination for the 2028 election, but added that another candidacy could not be entirely ruled out until nominations close.

Demetriou cites party unity

Demetriou said earlier in the day that she had decided not to seek the nomination to preserve party unity, noting that members had expressed “concern and anxiety regarding the risk of division once again”.

“Such an outcome would be disastrous for our party and for our country. It would also have negative consequences for our ultimate effort. It is primarily my responsibility, as party leader, to prevent this, to safeguard Disy, an institution which stands above individuals,” she said.

She added that the party’s unity and cohesion were paramount to her and that, “as the guardian of that unity, I have decided not to seek the nomination”.