Internal contest for the DISY presidential nomination intensifies

Former Democratic Rally (DISY) president Averof Neofytou has formally submitted his nomination papers for the party's 2028 presidential candidacy. Neofytou submitted over 3,000 signatures, far exceeding the mandatory 500-signature threshold. DISY member and parliamentarian George Pamboridis, who is also competing for the party's nomination, confirmed that he has collected the required signatures as well. The formal filing of candidacies is scheduled for Monday, October 26, with the internal election set to take place on November 28, 2026.

Political discourse in the party remains heated, with Pamboridis criticizing the current leadership and statute changes that introduced the signature requirement. Pamboridis also addressed the proposal from former President Nikos Anastasiades, who suggested a future cooperation agreement between DISY and incumbent President Nikos Christodoulides for the second round of national elections. Pamboridis conditioned any such cooperation on a formal apology from Christodoulides for his departure from the party during the 2023 elections. Current DISY leader Annita Demetriou has expressed concerns regarding party unity and the objective of preventing a leftist party from taking power, signaling a potential inclination toward a tactical alliance in the second round.