Averof Neophytou, who has turned Disy upside down in the pursuit of his presidential ambition, announced on Wednesday that he would stand in Monday’s election for the party candidacy. This was not the original plan of the former party leader, who, a couple of weeks earlier, said he would not take part in the party selection process and instead stand as a candidate.

If Neophytou carried out his threat, he would have split the Disy vote and ensured that neither he nor the party’s presidential candidate would advance to the second Sunday run-off. Faced with this prospect, party leader Annita Demetriou, who had announced her plan to stand and set a date for the vote, decided to withdraw, for the sake of safeguarding party unity. She had also come under pressure from a small but influential group not to stand.

With Demetriou out of the way, Neophytou decided to play by the party rules. He will not follow the example set by Nicos Christodoulides in 2022 as he had threatened to do a few weeks ago, forcing Demetriou into the rash decision of setting a date for the party elections. This was a big mistake, although Demetriou calculated it was the best way to sideline Neophytou, especially if he snubbed the party election.

Neophytou is now favourite to defeat Pamborides and win the title of Disy presidential candidate, but this will not be the end of the party’s problems. It was given an idea of what to expect last week when Neophytou publicly urged President Nikos Christodoulides to call for an end to EU sanctions on Russia so that the supply of petrol on the world market would increase and the price of fuel would come down.

It was crude populism, as Neophytou is smart enough to know this would never happen, but it undermined the party which, as a member of the European People’s Party, is fully aligned with the sanctions policy of the EU. This was the reason it felt obliged to issue an announcement to clarify that it supported EU sanctions on Russia. Without wanting to, the party sided with the president against the man who could be its presidential candidate.

Disy is now staring at the embarrassing prospect of its presidential candidate, assuming Neophytou wins on Monday, promoting policies that the party disagrees with. Presumably, the man who will be candidate will confer with the party leadership about his campaign programme. This is the problem of having a presidential candidate who is not the party leader. Who would follow who?

There is still a very long way to go until the presidential elections and there could still be some surprises down the road. What would Neophytou do if, against all odds, he is defeated by Pamborides on Monday?

Akel’s central aim in the 2028 presidential election is “progressive change” delivered by a united effort of forces, secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou said on Wednesday.

Speaking in Nicosia at the presentation of the book “Studies on the History of the Left in Cyprus”, Stefanou said the change must rest on “a common progressive programme” and end in victory at the polls.

“Experience had shown that in a world dominated by the institutions, policies and power of big capital, a left-wing government faces great challenges and dilemmas”, he said.

Stefanou said Akel’s ability to shape a political agenda with broader goals was “the objective basis of collaborations”.

He recalled earlier alliances, among them the United Front of Workers and Employees of Limassol in 1943 and the National Liberation Coalition, which operated from 1948 to 1953.

He traced the party’s relationship with power to 1962, when its 10th Congress decided to give Archbishop Makarios critical support.

Akel claimed no part in government and set no conditions beyond “the defence of Cypriot independence”.

It later made agreement on a programme for governance a condition of backing any candidate, he said, as with the Minimum Programme of 1983 in support of Spyros Kyprianou and again in 1988 with Giorgos Vassiliou.

The next stage was Akel’s entry into a governing coalition, with its own cadres serving in the government of Tassos Papadopoulos.

Stefanou said the left wing “must listen to the needs of society, firmly defend workers, democracy, peace and other universal values, join forces and transform demands into collective action”.

British Cypriot businessman John Christodoulou said on Wednesday that he believes he can find a solution to the Cyprus problem, as he considers standing in the 2028 presidential election.

Speaking to ANT1, Christodoulou said he could not accept that no decision had been reached in 52 years.

“I am a refugee, we need to go back to our homes, we must confront the Turk who stole our land. For 52 years, no one has managed to do it, I think I can.”

He said he would make a final decision on standing for election in January after speaking to his family.

“If I am ultimately a candidate and the people want me, then I will be there to help.”

Christodoulou said colleagues and friends had warned him against standing. remarking that “they tell me that my life will change and that I might ruin it”, he said.

The interview followed a statement issued on Tuesday in which he confirmed his interest in the presidency.

He said Direct Democracy leader Fidias Panayiotou was not the only individual urging him to stand, and that he would serve only “if he could make a genuine difference”.

“I am not a politician. I have never wanted to become one,” he said.

He said his aim was “a country where nobody goes hungry, nobody is left homeless, and nobody is afraid to walk home at night”.

Local media reported that Panayiotou had raised his name with party leaders, including Akel, to explore a joint candidacy, and had received no answer.

Akel secretary general Stefanos Stefanou played down speculation that his party was sounding out candidates, while Direct Democracy is also in talks with Odysseas Michaelides’ Alma party regarding a joint candidate.

Christodoulou owns Yianis Group, which holds hotels and flats in Canary Wharf and elsewhere in Britain.

The Sunday Times Rich List 2026 puts his wealth at £2.7 billion. In Cyprus he is active mainly through the Yianis Christodoulou Foundation.

In 2021 he was reported to be close to a £30 million takeover of Omonia football club, but talks with majority owner Stavros Papastavrou reportedly collapsed.

His British business affairs have drawn scrutiny, for in 2012 hotel owning companies in the group went into administration, costing him a Manchester Marriott and a Park Inn near Heathrow.

In 2022 he reportedly admitted to a tribunal that residents at 1 West India Quay had been overcharged by 26 per cent on utilities.

In March 2024 the UK government began legal action seeking £20.5 million from his companies towards fixing unsafe blocks at Canary Riverside.

Disy president Annita Demetriou has left open the possibility of supporting President Nikos Christodoulides in the second round of the presidential election should the Disy candidate fail to qualify.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Demetriou said it was her priority, as well as that of other party figures, that “left-wing policies do not come to power”.

Disy deputy chairman Efthymios Diplaros and former parliamentary representative Nikos Tornaritis have previously expressed the same position.

She was responding to a proposal by former president Nicos Anastasiades for a preliminary agreement between Christodoulides and Disy.

Under it, whichever side is eliminated in the first round would commit to backing the other against the candidate supported by Akel.

Demetriou said she understood the concern of Anastasiades and party officials, which she described as “preventing the left from taking power”.

She however expressed confidence that the party’s candidate would convince voters and reach the second round, and urged members to “convince the public of our own proposals”.

Demetriou also referred to her decision to withdraw her candidacy for the Disy nomination.

She said party supporters now felt relieved, but cautioned that “unity is not ensured from one day to the next”.

On the arrangement between Averof Neophytou and Giorgos Pamborides, she said both men had committed to supporting whoever secures the party’s nomination.

Former Disy leader Averof Neophytou announced on Wednesday that he will ask party members for a vote of confidence to run for the presidency in 2028.

He made the announcement in a video filmed against the unfinished energy project at Vasiliko.

He said he wanted to offer a “new social contract” with the public and a change in the way the country is governed.

“I announce today my decision to ask my fellow members of Disy for their vote of confidence for the 2028 presidential elections,” he said.

Neophytou opened with the cost of living, commenting that people “work hard but struggle to meet their financial obligations”, with high prices and the cost of electricity and fuel weighing on households and businesses.

“Young people find it hard to pay rent, and owning a home has become an unattainable dream,” he said.

On the Cyprus problem, he warned that prolonged stalemate carries new risks.

“Cyprus cannot remain and will not remain divided,” he said.

He argued that a change of course is needed, with leadership that “takes decisions and delivers results”.

“I want to offer my knowledge and experience so that we can tackle these challenges. Without counting the political cost, but guided by the interest of society,” he said.

Neophytou referred to his years in Disy and the struggles he had shared with its officials and supporters.

He said the party had played a decisive role in the country’s course in difficult periods, and that he had experienced successes and disappointments alongside its members.

He described his decision as driven by “responsibility towards the party and, above all, towards Cyprus and its people”.

He said this would guide efforts to unite Disy and regain public trust.

He spoke of a strong economy, a modern state that serves the public and a free and secure homeland.

“Let us give hope and prospects back to our young people. This is my own responsibility,” he concluded.

John Christodoulou said on Wednesday that he will announce early next year whether he intends to stand as a candidate in Cyprus’ 2028 presidential election.

In a statement issued following media reports and questions from journalists, Christodoulou said he would take time to carefully consider the possibility and consult people whose judgement he trusts before making a final decision.

He stressed that he is not a politician and has never aspired to become one, but said he could not accept the current situation in his homeland.

“I know I can make a big difference for Cyprus, particularly in terms of security, the economy and social welfare,” he said.

Christodoulou added that, regardless of his eventual decision, he would continue to speak out about the country’s future.

“Cyprus certainly deserves much better than what it has today, and I will not stop saying so and doing whatever I can in that direction,” he said.

British Cypriot property developer John Christodoulou confirmed on Tuesday he is interested in running for president of Cyprus.

He said Direct Democracy leader Fidias Panayiotou was not the only person urging him to stand and that he would serve “if he could make a genuine difference”.

“I am not a politician. I have never wanted to become one, nor have I ever planned a life in politics,” he said.

However, he added that he could not accept the state the country was in, arguing that “we cannot continue making political decisions based solely on winning more votes at the next election”.

He added that he sought to establish “a country where nobody goes hungry, nobody is left homeless, and nobody is afraid to walk home at night”.

Phileleftheros reported Panayiotou has raised Christodoulou’s name in contacts with party leaders, including Akel, to explore a joint candidacy.

He reportedly received no answer, as the internal processes of every party except that of Disy are at an early stage.

Akel denies looking for a candidate

Akel secretary general Stefanos Stefanou played down speculation on Monday that his party was sounding out candidates.

Direct Democracy is also in talks with Odysseas Michaelides’ Alma party regarding a joint candidate.

Christodoulou owns Yianis Group, which owns hotels and flats in Canary Wharf and elsewhere in Britain, with the Sunday Times Rich List 2026 estimating his wealth at £2.7 billion.

In Cyprus he is active mainly through the Yianis Christodoulou Foundation.

Christodoulou was reported in 2021 to be close to a £30 million takeover of Omonia football club, but talks with majority owner Stavros Papastavrou reportedly collapsed over a requirement to sell shares on to supporters.

His business affairs in Britain have drawn scrutiny, when in 2012, hotel owning companies in the group under the Dania Properties name went into administration, costing him the Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel in Manchester and a Park Inn near Heathrow.

Faced tribunals in the UK

In 2022 he reportedly admitted to a tribunal that residents at 1 West India Quay had been overcharged by 26 per cent on utilities.

In March 2024 the UK government began legal action seeking £20.5 million from his companies towards fixing unsafe blocks at Canary Riverside.

In March 2025 a judge described his companies as a “rogue landlord” in a case over unlicensed houses in Hackney; tenants were awarded £263,555 in rent repayment orders.

A BBC documentary in August 2025 reported that the tenants had not been paid, though Christodoulou has insisted to the publication that “all tenant claims have been satisfied”.

This year leaseholders at Beetham Tower in Manchester, which he owns, said remediation work had not been carried out.

Education Minister and Manchester MP Lucy Powell called the situation at the time a “living hell” for residents.

In 2021 then Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou called him “among the best ambassadors of Cyprus abroad”

The Cyprus Mail approached Christodoulou and Yianis Group for comment.