Phrixos Koulermos responds to allegations following DISY leadership meeting

Following the recent meeting at the Democratic Rally (DISY) headquarters in Nicosia, party member Phrixos Koulermos issued a written statement refuting allegations of coercion or blackmail. The meeting, which included DISY President Annita Demetriou, former party leader Averof Neofytou, and MP Giorgos Pamporidis, preceded Demetriou’s decision to withdraw her candidacy for the 2028 presidential election. Koulermos stated he attended at Demetriou’s personal invitation to discuss party unity, denying rumors that his presence as a publisher and founding member constituted undue influence.

Public discourse intensified after Giorgos Pamporidis questioned Koulermos's role, suggesting he exerted pressure on the decision-making process. While Demetriou has defended her choice to meet with senior party figures, emphasizing an open-door policy, internal tensions remain visible. Vice President Yiannis Karousos expressed dissatisfaction that he was not personally informed of the withdrawal, learning about it through media reports. Despite these internal disagreements and public accusations of "Trojan horses" within the party, leaders and senior officials, including Yiannis Afroditis, have reaffirmed their support for the current leadership and called for an end to public infighting.

The party is now focusing on the upcoming internal procedures for the presidential nomination, with leadership urging members to maintain unity and lower the intensity of public discourse.