DISY deliberates on presidential selection process in Cyprus

The Political Bureau of the Democratic Rally (DISY) party in Cyprus convened on October 2, 2026, to determine the timeline for selecting the party’s candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. The Executive Bureau had initially proposed an accelerated schedule, setting October 13, 2026, as the deadline for filing nominations and November 14, 2026, for the party-wide electoral assembly. This proposal faced criticism from several members, including Giorgos Pamborides, who argued the timeline was too restrictive and could hinder a fair internal competition.

During the ongoing meeting, party leader Annita Demetriou signaled openness to delaying the process until December 2026 or January 2027 to address these concerns. She also proposed that party bodies sign petitions supporting all candidates to foster unity. Former party leader Averof Neophytou, who recently announced his intention to run for president without clarifying if he would seek the party nomination, did not attend the meeting and is reportedly abroad.

This marks the first time DISY will choose its presidential candidate through a direct vote by the entire party membership, following a constitutional change in February 2025. Candidates must secure 500 signatures, including 100 from the Supreme Council, to participate. The Political Bureau remains tasked with finalizing the official calendar for these high-stakes elections.