Former President Anastasiades comments on DISY presidential candidacy dispute

Former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades addressed the current internal party friction within the Democratic Rally (DISY) regarding the upcoming presidential election. During an interview on September 29, 2026, on the "Alpha Kalimera" program, he stated that having two candidates from the same party is not inherently unusual, provided that constitutional party procedures are respected. He urged party members to value wisdom over ambition and to honor the outcome of the internal vote.

Anastasiades specifically addressed the potential candidacies of Annita Demetriou and Averof Neophytou, warning that if Neophytou were to run outside the party’s formal processes, it would lead to a fracture and division within DISY. He declined to comment directly on the specific timing of Demetriou's announcement, instead emphasizing that candidates must strategically plan their alliances to secure a victory. The former president reflected on his own historical experience with internal party contests, such as his past race against Eleni Theocharous, as a baseline for current democratic practices within the organization.