**Anastasiades Calls for Unity Within Disy, Rules Out Political Comeback**
Former President Nicos Anastasiades addressed the ongoing internal conflict within the Democratic Rally (Disy) party during an interview on CyBC on Wednesday. He expressed concern over the party's current state, which he attributed to "personal ambition" among its members. Anastasiades emphasized that he has no intention of intervening directly in the party's leadership selection process for the upcoming presidential race.
"It hurts me to see the party going through everything it is going through because of personal ambitions," Anastasiades stated, highlighting his emotional investment in Disy. He reassured party members of Disy's strength, describing it as "a strong, stable political force," and urged those in leadership positions to prioritize loyalty to the party and the nation over individual aspirations.
Anastasiades articulated a vision where collective ambition for the party and the homeland should take precedence over personal goals. "Above their personal ambitions there is an ambition that must prevail, that of love for the party and by extension for the homeland," he remarked, reinforcing the need for unity in the face of internal challenges.
When questioned about his potential role in uniting the party, Anastasiades clarified that he has intentionally refrained from direct involvement. He noted that media portrayals of him attempting to steer the party's direction were misleading. "Whenever I wanted to help or advise, I saw publications that I was trying to lead or guide, which is not my intention because of course I have no intention of becoming a politician again," he asserted.
The former president firmly rejected accusations that his ongoing engagement with Disy was self-serving. "It is not possible for a man who has given more than half of his life to be accused by those who, due to petty ambitions, consider that he is at the expense of the party," he stated, defending his long-standing commitment to Disy.
Anastasiades acknowledged the legitimacy of personal aspirations but insisted that they should be pursued only after the party has thoroughly considered its options and the broader political landscape. His comments come amid a growing competition within Disy, with several prominent figures, including former party leader Averof Neophytou, House Speaker Annita Demetriou, and former Health Minister George Pamborides, emerging as potential candidates for the presidential nomination in 2028.
Pamborides has raised concerns regarding a recent constitutional change within Disy that shifted the selection of the party's presidential candidate from senior officials to the broader party membership. This change has added another layer of complexity to the internal dynamics as party members navigate their ambitions and the future direction of Disy.
Anastasiades' remarks on the party's internal strife coincided with his response to a report from the anti-corruption authority related to allegations made in the book "Mafia State," authored by his former aide Makarios Drousiotis. In a 30-page defense issued the day prior, he criticized the authority's findings, claiming they were based on "unforgivable negligence" rather than thorough investigation. He argued that the accusations against him stemmed from "malicious allegations" and lamented the abandonment of the presumption of innocence in favor of public opinion.
As Disy grapples with its internal challenges and prepares for the upcoming presidential race, Anastasiades' call for unity and prioritization of the party's collective interests over personal ambitions resonates as a critical message for party members. The future leadership of Disy remains uncertain, with key figures vying for the nomination and the party's direction at stake.