Former DISY deputy leader Haris Georgiades is facing mounting calls from party officials and members to intervene in the contest for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination, as internal tensions continue following Annita Demetriou’s withdrawal from the race on Thursday.
According to information obtained by Phileleftheros, Georgiades, who remains an influential figure within DISY and heads the Glafcos Clerides Institute, is deeply dissatisfied with Thursday’s developments.
Party officials and members have been urging him to step in, while sources say he remains in contact with former health minister George Pamboridis. Further developments could follow after the weekend.
Meanwhile, DISY president Annita Demetriou appeared on television channels on Friday to explain her decision to withdraw from the contest. She stressed the need for party unity, insisting that she had acted in DISY’s interests and firmly denying that she had come under pressure.
Pamboridis, by contrast, adopted a campaign tone throughout his television appearances, aiming at Averof Neophytou while expressing support for Demetriou.
Neophytou made no further public statements on Friday beyond the announcement he issued on Thursday.
It was also confirmed on Friday that former Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou had requested nomination forms, although it remains unclear whether he intends to enter the race. The name of MEP Loucas Fourlas was also mentioned.
Both Neophytou and Pamboridis appear determined to remain in the contest until the end. During her television appearances, Demetriou said both men would take part in DISY’s internal selection process and had committed to respecting the outcome of the party vote.
Demetriou defends decision to withdraw
Demetriou defended her withdrawal during a series of television interviews, saying she had decided to protect the party’s unity.
She described it as a personal choice reached after reflecting on DISY’s direction and recognising growing anxiety among its members.
“It was my own personal proposal, having seen the concern among party members. I have a duty to safeguard unity and ensure that the party moves forward united and strong, so that it can put forward its own proposal for governing the country in 2028,” she told ANT1, describing the decision as difficult and deeply personal.
Demetriou also expressed sadness over comments and reports circulating in recent days, saying political debate had, in many instances, crossed acceptable boundaries.
“On many occasions, they went beyond the acceptable limits of political conduct. They upset me, but I assure you that I do not subscribe to them, and they certainly do not affect me,” she said.
Asked who was behind the gossip and rumours surrounding the contest, Demetriou said she did not know. She added that concern over the party’s direction was evident even among people who were not DISY members.
“You don’t have to be a party member to sense the concern and anxiety, or the danger of the party descending into internal division and public humiliation,” she said.
Addressing the presence of Alithia newspaper publisher Frixos Koulermos at DISY headquarters, Demetriou described him as a longstanding figure within the party and said she had never refused to meet anyone.
“He is a longstanding figure in the party, and I have never refused anyone a meeting. I have done that since the first day I entered politics, and I have been criticised for it,” she said.
She explained that Koulermos had visited the party’s headquarters on Pindarou Street out of concern for DISY.
“Everyone seems to know everything, and I keep hearing these crazy scenarios. It’s unbelievable,” she said.
Demetriou also confirmed that it had been her idea to invite Neophytou and Pamboridis to a meeting in an attempt to agree on a single candidate for the party’s presidential nomination. The effort ultimately failed.
Asked about Pamboridis’s references to political “guardians”, she said she did not know whom he meant and suggested that he be asked directly.
“We have people who like people who don’t and us. That’s politics,” she said.
The DISY president was also asked whether former Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou might seek the nomination. She acknowledged that other candidates could emerge.
“Others may also be interested. He has every right to request the forms and stand as a candidate. The party comes before individuals, and everyone needs to understand that,” she said.
Demetriou also addressed questions about a dinner at a fish restaurant attended by herself, Neophytou and others, and whether it had influenced her decision to withdraw.
She said she had considered all the relevant factors.
“It was not a secret dinner, and I will continue meeting everyone,” she insisted.
Demetriou said she harboured no bitterness over her decision to step aside.
She explained that she had initially believed that, as party president, she should participate in DISY’s internal selection process. However, after witnessing the discussions, conspiracy theories and personal attacks that she said were damaging the party, she concluded that withdrawing could help restore unity.
Asked whether she had considered resigning as party president as well, Demetriou ruled it out, insisting that she would remain in office to safeguard unity.
“I will be here to ensure unity. We do not give up at the first difficulty,” she said.
Pamboridis gives account of Thursday’s meeting
DISY MP George Pamboridis gave his account of the events leading up to Demetriou’s withdrawal during an appearance on ALPHA’s midday programme.
He said Demetriou had summoned him to her office at parliament early on Thursday morning and informed him that she did not intend to participate in the party’s internal selection process.
Pamboridis acknowledged that he had tried to change her mind but said she appeared determined from the outset.
According to his account, Demetriou asked him to come to DISY headquarters at 3 pm because she had already arranged a meeting with Neophytou. She also told him that she wanted to meet both men afterwards on the fifth floor.
“She told me, ‘I am very close to making my final decisions, and I want you to come to my office at 3 pm.’ I understood what she was intending to do and wanted to encourage her to reconsider,” he said.
When Pamboridis arrived at DISY headquarters, Demetriou was already meeting Neophytou in the presence of Alithia publisher Frixos Koulermos.
According to Pamboridis, the party president initially asked both men whether they could see a way to break the deadlock within DISY.
“I had publicly declared my willingness to withdraw if Mr Neophytou also withdrew, for the benefit of the president. That issue was not even raised and was not on the table,” he said.
“Realising that there was no other way forward, the president announced that, under the circumstances, and to avoid leading the party into further difficulties that could jeopardise its very existence, she intended to withdraw her own candidacy.
“She then asked us whether either of us would be willing to step aside, saying it would be desirable to proceed with a single candidate. Mr Neophytou said he would not. I also replied that I would remain a candidate until the end, and the meeting concluded.”
Asked whether there had been any interventions, either by Koulermos, who was present, or by another DISY official, Pamboridis claimed that Koulermos had advised him to abandon his bid after he and Neophytou left Demetriou’s office.
He said Koulermos had urged him “to give up the effort”.
Pamboridis also argued that Demetriou had recognised that her own candidacy was preventing Neophytou from participating in the party’s internal selection process.
“The president recognised that what was preventing Mr Neophytou from joining the internal party process was her own candidacy. By withdrawing it, she asked him to confirm that he would participate in the internal process, and that is what happened.”
