**Party Leader Claims Exclusion from Social Media Accounts Amid Internal Conflict**
Andreas Themistocleous, the leader of the Democratic National Movement (DEK), has publicly accused members of his party’s leadership of insurrection, stating that he has been locked out of the party’s email and social media accounts. This allegation marks a significant escalation in a growing dispute between Themistocleous and four members of the party’s political bureau, who recently withdrew their confidence in him.
The political bureau, which includes six members, has been at odds with Themistocleous, who has been accused of making arbitrary decisions and breaching the party’s charter. In response to these accusations, Themistocleous issued a statement to the media via a personal email account of the party spokesman, rather than through the official party channels.
In his statement, Themistocleous dismissed the claims made by the dissenting members, asserting that the party operates transparently. He highlighted a meeting held on August 7 at the party’s central office in Limassol, where he stated that the leadership had addressed all inquiries regarding the party’s financial matters. Themistocleous mentioned that a unanimous decision was made in mid-June to request the party’s accountant to present financial statements for the years 2025 and 2026, and he emphasized that no audit had been obstructed and no information concealed.
Themistocleous further criticized the four members for their private meeting the day prior to the August 7 gathering, where they chose not to attend. He expressed confidence in the party’s financial practices, stating, “I do not fear being checked; I asked for that. I do not fear questions; I answered them. I do not fear documents; I presented them to those who wanted to look at them. I do not fear transparency; I demand it.”
The internal conflict has also seen Themistocleous accuse Andras Soteriou, one of the dissenting members, of failing to provide a receipt book, which he claims is a point of contention within the party. While acknowledging that the four members are part of the political bureau, Themistocleous firmly rejected the idea that they could act as a collective body capable of making decisions on behalf of DEK, stating, “They are not DEK. They do not represent DEK. And they cannot supplant DEK.”
The ongoing dispute has led to legal action, with the matter of Themistocleous’s exclusion from the party’s digital assets now assigned to attorneys for resolution. This internal strife comes at a time when DEK, a party founded in January 2025 by Themistocleous following his expulsion from the Elam party, is trying to establish its identity and political stance.
DEK positions itself as a traditionalist party, advocating for the preservation of Greek national identity in Cyprus and opposing progressive social reforms and what it terms ‘Woke culture.’ The party also stands firmly against a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation as a solution to the ongoing Cyprus problem, viewing it as a potential threat to both the Hellenic identity and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the internal conflict will impact DEK's future and its ability to maintain unity among its members. Themistocleous’s leadership and the party’s direction could be significantly influenced by the outcomes of the ongoing disputes and legal considerations.