Neophytou says 2028 presidential bid is not “just to be a candidate”

Nicosia, Cyprus. Former Disy leader Averof Neophytou said on Tuesday that he had not announced his 2028 presidential candidacy “just to be a candidate” and would not “go through what I went through in 2023”. He cited the continuing deadlock in the Cyprus problem as a reason for his decision.

Party divisions and the 2023 election

Addressing manoeuvres within Disy, Neophytou said those who were “betrayed” in 2023 should be careful not to be betrayed again. He criticised people who “wave the flag of unity and political ethics”, accusing them of having undermined both.

Neophytou was Disy’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election but was eliminated in the first round. Nikos Christodoulides, who had been expelled from Disy after announcing an independent candidacy, and Akel-backed Andreas Mavroyiannis advanced past him.

Cyprus negotiations

Neophytou said even his political allies had criticised his stance towards President Christodoulides on the Cyprus issue. He said he would support Christodoulides if the president moved towards a solution, while warning that steps limiting the possibility of resuming negotiations must be avoided.

Neophytou announced his candidacy on Sunday, saying recent discussions had produced no progress towards restarting negotiations. “The window of hope for the Cyprus problem unfortunately remained closed,” he said, adding that “not the slightest thing was agreed” in New York last week. Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his Cyprus envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, there.

Neophytou also noted that Guterres’ term would end in three months. He said Guterres had linked his legacy to efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem but would leave with the deadlock unresolved.