Averof Neofytou criticizes party leadership and historic handling of the Cyprus problem

Former DISY president Averof Neofytou has launched a series of public critiques regarding the handling of the Cyprus problem, sparking speculation about his political future. In recent interviews and social media posts, Neofytou accused both DISY and AKEL of historic failures, citing the rejection of the American-British-Canadian plan and the Annan Plan by AKEL, and the abandonment of the Ghali ideas and the failure at Crans-Montana by DISY. He argued that both parties prioritized perceived political costs over courageous decision-making.

Beyond his policy critiques, Neofytou has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the current DISY leadership under Annita Demetriou, specifically regarding his exclusion from party polling ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. Despite the internal friction, Neofytou has been actively engaging with party supporters at his home in Argaka. While he has not officially declared a candidacy, observers suggest his frequent interventions and public positioning indicate an attempt to secure a rematch for the 2028 presidential race. Neofytou remains active in the public sphere, refusing to rule out a return to the political forefront while maintaining that he is driven by concerns over the stalled Cyprus negotiations.