Fresh tensions have erupted within Disy after former finance minister Haris Georgiades criticised the candidacy of Averof Neophytou, prompting a sharp response from the party's deputy president, Yiannis Karousos.
Karousos described Georgiades' comments as inappropriate and divisive, arguing that internal disputes are damaging party unity and ultimately strengthening the political position of President Nikos Christodoulides.
Commenting on Georgiades' declaration that he would not participate in Disy's election campaign if Neophytou secures the party nomination, Karousos said he strongly disagreed with the stance, particularly given Georgiades' institutional role as chairman of the Glafcos Clerides Institute.
According to Karousos, public interventions of this nature do not serve party unity and create unnecessary tension during a critical internal process.
He argued that some party figures are fuelling confrontation, increasing introversion within the party and dividing its supporters.
Karousos called on party officials to lower the tone of the debate and stressed that those holding institutional positions have a responsibility to support whichever candidate is ultimately chosen by party members.
"Whoever is selected, I will stand by them and work for their campaign with the same passion and determination," he said.
Questions over Annita Demetriou's withdrawal
Karousos was equally critical of Georgiades' comments regarding the withdrawal of Annita Demetriou from the race for the party nomination.
Georgiades had suggested that the Disy leader's decision was made under pressure, a claim Karousos challenged by referring to Demetriou's own public statements.
He noted that Demetriou had repeatedly said she withdrew in the interests of party unity and had not been pressured by anyone.
Karousos questioned whether Georgiades was effectively accusing the party leader of being untruthful.
"So, is Harris saying that Annita lied?" he asked.
Glafcos Clerides Institute role
Asked whether Demetriou should accept the resignation Georgiades has placed at her disposal as chairman of the Glafcos Clerides Institute, Karousos declined to suggest what decision should be taken.
However, he reiterated that anyone serving in an institutional role within Disy, whether in the leadership, party bodies or affiliated organisations, has an obligation under party rules to work for the candidate selected by members.
Personal preference kept private
Karousos acknowledged that he has a personal preference between the two contenders for the nomination, Averof Neophytou and George Pamboridis, but insisted he would not reveal it publicly.
"I have a preference, but I will not declare it publicly," he said.
He explained that he wants members to choose freely and believes the party should unite behind the eventual nominee once the process is completed.
'The only person they are helping is Christodoulides'
Throughout his remarks, Karousos repeatedly argued that Georgiades' intervention benefits Christodoulides politically.
He clarified that he was not suggesting Georgiades intended to support the president, but maintained that when a party becomes consumed by internal disputes, its political opponent is the one that gains.
Despite his criticism, Karousos described Georgiades as one of Disy's most serious and capable figures, while insisting that his latest intervention was misguided.
Responding to Georgiades' assertions that Neophytou's positions deviate from Disy's traditional principles, Karousos questioned why such concerns were not raised earlier within the party's collective bodies and congresses.
What he said about Anastasiades
Karousos was also asked about interventions by former president Nicos Anastasiades regarding possible cooperation with Christodoulides in a second round of presidential elections.
He argued that Anastasiades' comments were fundamentally different from Georgiades' intervention.
According to Karousos, the former president never suggested that he would refuse to support whichever candidate is ultimately chosen by Disy members.
Concluding his remarks, Karousos again appealed to party officials to avoid actions and statements that deepen divisions, insisting that unity and preparation for the presidential election should remain the party's priority.
