Nikos Tornaritis calls for unity in DISY and defends presidential appointment

Nikos Tornaritis, in a recent podcast interview on October 14, 2026, called for a meeting between DISY leaders Nikos Christodoulides, Annita Demetriou, and Averof Neofytou to resolve internal party issues. Tornaritis argued that DISY should have collaborated with President Christodoulides immediately following the 2023 election results, noting that the party’s base had overwhelmingly supported Christodoulides despite contrary recommendations from senior party officials. He stated that he would have accepted his current role as Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue in Africa and Asia even if it had been offered by political figures from opposing backgrounds, such as the late Demetris Christofias.

Regarding internal party tensions, Tornaritis rejected claims that he headed Averof Neofytou's 2023 campaign, clarifying that Giannos Pantazis held that position. He also alluded to internal disagreements concerning his recent mayoral bid in Nicosia, suggesting that some party members did not provide the expected support. Tornaritis defended his decision to publicly support Christodoulides in the second round of the 2023 elections, citing the importance of economic stability and the nation's western orientation as his primary motivations.