Internal disputes within DISY over 2028 presidential candidacy process

The Democratic Rally (DISY) party in Cyprus is facing significant internal friction following the leadership's decision to initiate an accelerated process for selecting a candidate for the February 2028 presidential elections. The process began on September 21, 2026, with the leadership suggesting that party president Annita Demetriou should declare her interest in the candidacy. This push has sparked criticism from the newspaper 'Alithia' and various party officials who argue that such a rushed timeline threatens to plunge the party into seventeen months of instability and internal strife.

Opposition to these 'express' procedures is mounting, with several members demanding more time for candidates to present their platforms and for party members to evaluate their options without external pressure. The Executive Bureau has proposed setting October 13 as the deadline for submitting candidacies. Addressing these concerns, Pavlos Liasidis has submitted a formal proposal to suspend the current plans. He advocates for an ideological and political congress to focus on renewing the party's political identity instead. The issue is scheduled to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the Political Bureau, where the party will decide whether to proceed with the current schedule or implement a more deliberative approach.