Annita Demetriou withdraws from the DISY presidential nomination race

On October 8, 2026, the President of the Democratic Rally (DISY), Annita Demetriou, officially announced her decision to withdraw from the party's internal race to secure the candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections. Her announcement followed a series of intense, multi-hour discussions held at the party headquarters on Pindarou Street with Averof Neofytou and Giorgos Pamporidis. Demetriou stated that the decision was entirely her own and was taken to prioritize the unity and cohesion of the party, rejecting suggestions that she acted under external pressure.

Following this development, Averof Neofytou and Giorgos Pamporidis remain the two primary contenders for the party's nomination. Neofytou described Demetriou’s decision as wise and responsible, while Pamporidis praised her integrity, acknowledging the significant internal challenges she faced. Meanwhile, party spokesperson Onoufrios Koullas indicated that a single consensus candidate would have been ideal, but noted that the internal electoral process will proceed to select a nominee by November 28.

Reports suggest that the internal competition may remain open to further contenders, with figures like Ionas Nicolaou and Loukas Fourlas mentioned as potential, though unconfirmed, candidates. The party now moves toward the formal nomination submission phase as it attempts to stabilize its strategic path forward.