Internal friction within Democratic Rally party over presidential candidacy

Recent internal tensions within the Democratic Rally (DISY) party in Cyprus have surfaced following claims by Averof Neofytou regarding a supposed agreement surrounding the election of Annita Demetriou as Speaker of the House. DISY spokesperson Onoufrios Koullas denied that any such deal ever existed, acknowledging Neofytou's significant support for Demetriou's election but dismissing the idea that it was tied to political quid pro quos.

Following these exchanges, party Vice President Giorgos Karoullas issued a call for restraint and unity, urging members to avoid public confrontation. Karoullas specifically invited Neofytou to participate in the formal internal party procedures to seek the presidential nomination if he desires, emphasizing that diverse viewpoints are a natural part of democratic discourse. The party leadership maintains that the established processes will lead to a collective decision, with the ultimate objective of selecting a single, unified candidate for the upcoming election.