Averof Neofytou and Giorgos Pamporidis compete for the DISY presidential nomination

The Democratic Rally (DISY) party in Cyprus is heading toward an internal vote on November 28, 2026, to determine its candidate for the next presidential election. The race features former party president Averof Neofytou and Member of Parliament Giorgos Pamporidis. According to a recent poll by EXPLORER published in Phileleftheros, Neofytou leads with 50% support among eligible party members, while Pamporidis follows with 27%; 10% remain undecided and 12% reject both candidates.

Neofytou frames his candidacy as a bid for victory in the 2028 presidential race, utilizing social media to highlight endorsements and positive remarks from political figures outside his own party, including members of DIKO, the volunteer activist Feidias Panagiotou, and VOLT co-president Pieros Karoulas. Conversely, Pamporidis advocates for a radical center-right platform, emphasizing the necessity of party unity to avoid a repeat of the 2023 electoral loss, which he warns could threaten the future of DISY itself.

Both candidates are actively engaging the party base, attempting to position themselves as the most capable choice to represent the party in the upcoming general election. While Neofytou explores potential cross-party partnerships, Pamporidis remains focused on internal ideological renewal.