Annita Demetriou withdraws from the 2028 presidential candidacy for Democratic Rally

On October 8, 2026, the President of the Democratic Rally (DISY) party, Annita Demetriou, announced her withdrawal from the race for the party's presidential nomination for the 2028 elections. The decision followed a series of meetings at the party's headquarters on Pindarou Street, including a three-way discussion between Demetriou, Averof Neofytou, and Giorgos Pamporidis, as well as the presence of publisher Frixos Koulermos.

Demetriou stated that the move was her own, taken without pressure, to prevent the internal division of the party, which she described as a potential catastrophe for the organization and the country. She emphasized her role as the guardian of party unity. Her decision leaves Averof Neofytou and Giorgos Pamporidis as the primary contenders for the nomination, though media reports suggest that third-party candidates, such as Ionas Nikolaou or Loukas Fourlas, have not been ruled out.

Following the announcement, Averof Neofytou praised Demetriou's decision as a responsible act that reinforces party unity. The party is now moving toward formal internal selection procedures to determine its official candidate. While no specific date for the final selection has been confirmed, the political landscape within DISY remains fluid as the party seeks to consolidate its strategy.