Pamboridis urges Disy-Diko alliance and pledges to remain in nomination race

Nicosia, Cyprus. Presidential hopeful George Pamboridis urged Disy on Tuesday to seek a “natural alliance” with Diko before the 2028 presidential election. He also pledged to continue seeking the party’s nomination regardless of developments.

Case for cooperation with Diko

In an interview with Sigma, Pamboridis acknowledged differences between the parties but said their positions aligned closely on significant issues. He argued that efforts to forge an alliance should have begun immediately after the parliamentary election in May.

Asked whether he might withdraw from the nomination contest, he said he would remain a candidate “till the very end, for better or worse”.

Demetriou’s withdrawal and meeting participants

Pamboridis would not support allegations that Disy leader Annita Demetriou had been blackmailed into withdrawing from the race last Thursday. He said he had no firsthand information to contribute and saw no grounds for questioning her account.

He characterised speculation about events at last Thursday’s meeting as gossip.

Asked about the attendance of Frixos Koulermos, the publisher of Althia and owner of Omega TV, at the meeting preceding Demetriou’s decision, Pamboridis said he did not object to established party figures or publishers taking part in discussions.

Concerns over party cohesion

Pamboridis dismissed suggestions that having several contenders for the nomination endangered Disy’s unity. Instead, he identified the main threat as groups distancing themselves from the party’s official position while seeking closer ties with the current government.

He cited the 2023 presidential election, when Disy’s official candidate, Averof Neophytou, placed third in the opening round. The result left Disy outside the presidential run-off for the first time, an outcome he warned could recur.

Pamboridis said party members were disappointed by renewed internal conflict despite Disy’s strong parliamentary election result.