**Averof Neophytou Claims Betrayal in 2023 Elections, Announces 2028 Presidential Bid**
Former leader of the Democratic Rally (Disy), Averof Neophytou, has publicly expressed feelings of betrayal following his candidacy in the 2023 presidential elections. Speaking on Tuesday, Neophytou emphasized that his decision to run for president in the upcoming 2028 elections is not merely a formality, but a serious commitment to address the issues that he believes led to his previous electoral defeat.
In the 2023 elections, Neophytou was the official candidate for Disy but lost in the first round to Nikos Christodoulides, an independent candidate who had been expelled from the party, and Andreas Mavroyiannis, who was backed by the left-wing party Akel. Reflecting on that experience, Neophytou stated, "I will not go through what I went through in 2023," indicating that he has learned valuable lessons from the past.
Neophytou's announcement comes amid ongoing internal party dynamics within Disy, where he urged those who felt "betrayed" during the last election cycle to remain vigilant against further disappointments. He criticized some party members for their calls for unity and political ethics, suggesting that their actions contradicted their rhetoric.
In discussing the Cyprus issue, Neophytou reiterated his commitment to supporting current President Nikos Christodoulides, provided that the latter takes steps towards a viable solution. He expressed concern over the continued deadlock in negotiations regarding the reunification of Cyprus, stating that the recent discussions, including a meeting between Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, had yielded no progress.
Neophytou pointed out that the "window of hope for the Cyprus problem unfortunately remained closed," and noted that "not the slightest thing was agreed" during the recent talks in New York. He highlighted the urgency of the situation, mentioning that Guterres is set to leave his position in three months, and that the lack of resolution could impact the future of the negotiations.
The former Disy leader criticized the government's approach to the Cyprus problem, claiming that it has not adapted to the changing circumstances and that time is not on the side of the Greek Cypriot community. He voiced the concerns of many citizens regarding the stagnation of the peace process and called for renewed efforts to address the longstanding division of the island.
As Neophytou prepares for the 2028 presidential race, he aims to position himself as a candidate who can navigate the complexities of the Cyprus issue while addressing the internal challenges within his party. His announcement has sparked discussions about the future direction of Disy and the broader political landscape in Cyprus as the next presidential election approaches.