Averof Neofytou announces 2028 presidential candidacy

Averof Neofytou, the former president of the Democratic Rally (DISY) party, officially announced on September 27, 2026, his intention to run for the presidency of Cyprus in the 2028 elections. The announcement followed the conclusion of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where no significant progress was made regarding the Cyprus issue. Neofytou had previously stated that if the political deadlock persisted and no developments occurred, he would enter the race.

His declaration explicitly frames his candidacy as a response to the ongoing stalemate, which he describes as a failure of current leadership. Neofytou emphasizes the need for national mobilization to address the division of the country and advocates for a new vision for the younger generation. The announcement, released via social media, notably omits any reference to the party's internal nomination process, leaving uncertainty about whether he will seek the DISY party endorsement or run as an independent candidate.

The development has caused internal friction within DISY, with party spokespeople and members expressing concern over the potential for an extra-party candidacy. The party leadership is now expected to hold meetings to address these internal tensions, as Neofytou has stated he is open to support from any party that shares his vision.