Annita Demetriou withdraws from 2028 presidential candidacy in Cyprus

On October 8, 2026, the President of the Democratic Rally (DISY) party, Annita Demetriou, announced her withdrawal from the race for the party's nomination for the 2028 presidential elections. The decision was made following intensive discussions at the party's headquarters on Pindarou Street. Demetriou stated that her primary motivation was to ensure party unity and prevent internal division, a move described by party officials as an act of institutional responsibility.

The withdrawal changes the internal competition into a two-way race between Averof Neofytou and Giorgos Pamporidis. During the deliberations, it was revealed that Frixos Koulermos, publisher of the newspaper "Alitheia" and a founding member of DISY, pressured Pamporidis to withdraw his candidacy, a move Pamporidis rejected. Pamporidis later criticized the presence of such figures, labeling Koulermos as a "guardian" of Neofytou, while maintaining his own bid for the candidacy.

Party spokesperson Onoufrios Koulla indicated that the party aims to have a single candidate confirmed by November 28. Officials are now focusing on healing internal friction and consolidating the party's position as they navigate the shift in leadership strategy following Demetriou's exit.