Former DISY president Averof Neofytou has said his decision to contest the 2028 presidential election extends beyond the boundaries of his party, describing his candidacy as a political proposal addressed to society and political forces more broadly.
In his first interview since announcing his candidacy, Neofytou also spoke about an alleged meeting with DISY President Annita Demetriou before the parliamentary elections, while placing the Cyprus issue at the centre of his decision to run.
Cyprus issue takes priority
Speaking on a podcast by Phileleftheros, Neofytou argued that political substance should not be overshadowed by party procedures and mechanisms.
Asked whether he was running as a candidate from within or outside DISY, he said issues of “secondary importance” were sometimes placed ahead of the substance.
“When someone decides to be a candidate for the highest office, I believe they must explain in political terms why they are standing,” he said, adding that “if some want to bypass the substance by putting forward procedures and mechanisms, that is entirely their right”.
“I decided to contest the Presidency of the Republic. The political substance and what is at stake for the country come first. What takes priority, the procedure or whether we will have a homeland?” he said.
Neofytou said the unity of any political grouping was important but could not take precedence over efforts to reunify Cyprus.
Neofytou calls for a reunified Cyprus
Explaining his decision to run, Neofytou identified the Cyprus issue as a central consideration.
“We forget that we have been living with the occupation for 52 years. I will never reconcile myself with the status quo,” he said.
“I come to the essence of my decision to contest the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus. I want a reunified Cyprus. With what we are experiencing in Cyprus, I cannot be complacent and I cannot remain silent.”
Neofytou also called for what he described as a broader political “revolution”, concerning both the national issue and domestic governance.
He said there was a need “to wake up from the lethargy of the false security we supposedly live in, but also the false prosperity we supposedly share”.
He also criticised the way political parties and politicians have dealt with the Cyprus issue and domestic governance, arguing that political forces had grown accustomed to managing the existing status quo.
Candidacy aimed beyond DISY
Neofytou said he did not view his presidential candidacy exclusively through the perspective of DISY.
“The decision to contest does not concern only one party, which I respect. It does not concern only the members of one political grouping. It concerns society as a whole,” he said.
“The proposal is addressed to society as a whole and to the political forces,” he added.
Dinner with Annita Demetriou
Neofytou also referred to a dinner he claimed took place with Annita Demetriou before the parliamentary elections, at the initiative of one of her close associates.
“I have never lied in my life and I cannot avoid stating the facts,” he said, adding that the meeting took place at a well-known fish restaurant in Nicosia in Demetriou’s presence.
According to Neofytou, Demetriou’s associate asked him at the meeting to help secure her re-election as president of the House of Representatives, while referring to Neofytou’s prospective presidential candidacy.
“You, who have influence, make sure we elect Annita again as president of the House, so that we can all go united into the presidential election with you. And know that I keep my word,” Neofytou quoted the associate as saying.
The account was presented by Neofytou and is not independently established in the information provided.
Neofytou rejects link to alleged commitment
Neofytou nevertheless rejected the suggestion that his decision to run resulted from commitments that may not have been honoured.
“The biggest problem we politicians and parties have, and the reason we lost our credibility, is with ‘I commit’ and ‘I withdraw my commitment’,” he said.
“It is not a personal issue. Because someone broke their commitment, I decide to become a candidate for the presidential election?” he said, adding that his presidential bid concerned what he described as the major issue facing the country.
Neofytou also recalled supporting Demetriou’s election as president of the House of Representatives in 2021 and subsequently, rejecting the suggestion that he had done so in exchange for anything and saying he had acted “out of duty”.
Referring to the President of the Republic, Neofytou said that despite disagreements, including with people in his close circle, he remained prepared to support any substantive effort concerning the Cyprus issue.
