Averof Neophytou criticizes Disy leadership over internal polling and Cyprus issue

Former Democratic Rally (Disy) leader Averof Neophytou publicly criticized the party's current leadership on August 13, 2026, during a podcast appearance with Member of the European Parliament Fidias Panayiotou. Neophytou expressed frustration regarding a recent internal party poll, stating that he was never informed by party president Annita Demetriou about the survey's planning, selection of the research firm, or its final results. He characterized this lack of consultation as a serious internal matter.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Neophytou criticized both President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, stating that no substantive negotiations are taking place, with both sides merely shifting blame to one another. Addressing speculation about the 2028 presidential elections, Neophytou dismissed the discussion as inappropriate given the current diplomatic sensitivity and the possibility of a 5+1 conference. He declared that if a solution process is successfully initiated, he would support President Christodoulides, but otherwise, he reserves the right to make his own decisions based on the national interest. The discussion underscored ongoing internal frictions within Disy as the party navigates its current political trajectory.