Hadjipetrou Alleges Internal Plot Against DISY President

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Former PASYDY secretary-general Glafkos Hadjipetrou accused figures within DISY of sidelining Annita Demetriou from the 2028 presidential race through threats, pressure and internal manoeuvring.

Former PASYDY secretary-general Glafkos Hadjipetrou has launched a scathing attack on developments within DISY, alleging that party president Annita Demetriou was forced out of contention for the 2028 presidential election through coordinated behind-the-scenes actions.

In a post on X, Hadjipetrou questioned whether recent developments amounted to "political elimination or an internal party coup", asking how Demetriou, whom he described as the frontrunner, was knocked out of the race.

He claimed that "a brutal backstage thriller involving threats, blackmail and below-the-belt blows" unfolded behind closed doors and argued that "the plan of economic and party elites succeeded completely".

According to Hadjipetrou, internal party procedures were deliberately undermined and he singled out former DISY president Averof Neophytou, alleging that he played a decisive role in Demetriou's withdrawal.

"With the support of the establishment, Averof Neophytou pushed the party president aside, forcing her into an unprecedented withdrawal," he wrote.

Criticism over Cyprus issue

Hadjipetrou was also highly critical of what he described as the use of the Cyprus issue as a political tool during internal party disputes.

"The ultimate weapon in this elimination was the instrumentalisation of the Cyprus issue," he argued.

He further claimed that, in building an electoral narrative, critics had even challenged the political legacy of DISY founder Glafcos Clerides, accusing him of political opportunism in 1993.

"Internal democracy in tatters"

The former trade union leader painted a bleak picture of the situation within DISY following the latest developments.

"The next day finds a historic political movement in deep shock and internal democracy in tatters," he wrote.

Hadjipetrou concluded by warning of potentially unpredictable consequences if institutional procedures are sacrificed in the interests of a small group.

"When institutions are sacrificed for the benefit of a few, what follows becomes completely unpredictable."