The Democratic Rally (DISY) has issued a sharp response to criticism from AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou of both DISY and the Christodoulides government. It raised questions about AKEL’s intentions ahead of the 2028 presidential elections and challenged its credentials for a return to power.
AKEL’s record in government
In a statement, DISY asked how AKEL can seek to govern again. It recalled that under AKEL’s government, Cyprus was shut out of international markets and was led, as the statement puts it, into a deep economic crisis, unemployment, business closures, poverty and hardship.
Why no AKEL candidate?
DISY also asked why AKEL, if it truly represents society and integrity as it claims, is not contesting the presidential elections with its own candidate. “Are they admitting the truth from the outset? Are they indirectly admitting that what they keep serving up to society has been tried and has failed?” the statement said.
DISY defends its own record
DISY argued that it took huge sacrifices by citizens, difficult decisions and ten years of sustained effort for the economy to get back on its feet. As a result, it said, the country was handed over in 2023 with growth, fiscal stability and restored international credibility. This, it noted, is the record the Democratic Rally stands by.
The statement also argued that only a DISY government can enable Cyprus to leave behind what it described as the disagreements, poor preparation, timidity and ineffectiveness of the Christodoulides government. It said that only DISY could spare the country “disastrous left-wing experiments”.
In conclusion, DISY said that only under its own government will the country be able to move forward with effectiveness, stability, vision and optimism.
