DISY will not support President Nikos Christodoulides in the 2028 presidential election and will instead present its own political proposal, party leader and House Speaker Annita Demetriou said.
Speaking on Sigma television's morning programme, Demetriou said Christodoulides "cannot himself receive support", explaining that DISY is in opposition and will put forward its own proposal for the presidential election.
"He cannot be supported, because the Democratic Rally belongs to the opposition and constructively exercises and will continue to exercise its role," she said.
She added that the party has the right to present "its own proposal", which, she clarified, would concern not only the candidate but also the political plan for what should be done in Cyprus.
Field of candidacies remains open
Referring to names already mentioned as possible candidates, including herself, Averof Neophytou and George Pamborides, Demetriou said other candidacies could also emerge.
She acknowledged that personal ambitions are legitimate but stressed that all party members belong to a political movement governed by statutes and procedures that must be followed.
"It is not wrong for there to be ambitions, it is legitimate," she said, adding that personal aspirations should serve the broader interests of the party.
"Above all of us is the Democratic Rally and above the Democratic Rally is our homeland," she said.
Demetriou noted that there are specific procedures governing even the timing of candidature announcements and said decisions would be taken in an orderly manner through the party's institutions.
As she put it, anyone belonging to a political "team" and "family" should assess which option is best both for the party, which represents specific principles and positions, and for the country.
She also highlighted the role of DISY members in selecting the party's candidate, referring to amendments made to the party's statutes.
"What is more democratic than allowing members to decide on their candidate?" she asked, adding that the Political Bureau would also have its own role in the process.
'There must be a centre-right alliance'
The DISY leader placed particular emphasis on the party's political identity, arguing in favour of a clear centre-right direction.
"There must be a centre-right alliance. This is our identity," she said.
She added that DISY has the right to defend its ideological orientation, principles and values while respecting differing political beliefs.
According to Demetriou, this is the political course that delivered results in previous years and one that Cyprus continues to need.
'DISY belongs to the opposition'
On the party's relationship with the government, Demetriou reiterated that DISY is in opposition and will continue to play a constructive role.
At the same time, she said opposition does not mean rejecting every government initiative, adding that DISY would continue to support proposals it believes move in the right direction and serve the country's interests.
'We do not have real progress' on Cyprus issue
On the Cyprus problem, Demetriou struck a cautious tone, saying it was too soon to offer either an optimistic or pessimistic assessment of developments.
"We do not have anything concrete, we do not have real progress. This is what we want to see, real progress," she said.
She described the resumption of meetings between the two leaders as positive, but stressed that contacts could not be limited to ceremonial encounters.
The objective, she said, should be the resumption of substantive negotiations from the point at which they were interrupted, with particular focus on security issues and the six parameters set by the United Nations Secretary-General.
"The Cyprus issue is the supreme issue and above all others," she said, adding that all sides should demonstrate the necessary political will when conditions permit.
Demetriou also reiterated that DISY supports the President in his efforts on the Cyprus issue and backs the holding of an expanded meeting on the basis of the framework set out by the UN Secretary-General.
"It is very important for things to move forward," she said, identifying as the ultimate goal a settlement that would provide "security and justice for this country".
