Presidential Palace and DISY lock horns in high-stakes battle for Cyprus center-right dominance

Politics parliamentTop News Presidential Palace and DISY lock horns in high-stakes battle for Cyprus center-right dominance Proedros Xristodoulides Annita Averof Proedriko 1536x834 Relevant News Presidential Palace and DISY lock horns in high-stakes battle for Cyprus center-right dominance 15 August 2026 Former POWs detail torture and beatings in Turkish prisons during 1974 Cyprus invasion 15 August 2026 Declassified 1974 document reveals US diplomat accurately outlined Turkey’s invasion plans 15 August 2026 Frixos Dalitis 15 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A brief mid-August lull has brought only a temporary pause to an escalating feud between the Presidential Palace and the Democratic Rally (DISY), as both sides engage in an open struggle for political dominance over the center-right. The rift deepened following harsh verbal exchanges over the weekend, underscoring ongoing instability within the center-right camp as rival figures position themselves for leadership. The spat intensified after President Nikos Christodoulides publicly referenced “DISAKEL”—a derogatory portmanteau conflating the opposition DISY with the communist AKEL party—while speaking to reporters in Paralimni following a memorial service for Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou. Responding to criticisms regarding board appointments at semi-governmental organisations, Christodoulides claimed the “party is over” for political patronage and suggested DISY and AKEL were issuing virtually identical statements. DISY reacted with outrage, accusing the President of using a memorial event to deliver divisive remarks. Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis defended the President’s framing, maintaining that aligned criticisms from DISY and AKEL justified the comparison. The term “DISAKEL” remains a sensitive point for DISY leadership. Some party insiders view Christodoulides’s strategy as a deliberate effort to fragment DISY and frame his administration as the sole authentic voice of the center-right. Others within DISY urge caution, arguing that high-decibel feuding with the government carries political costs. Internal disagreements have also emerged within DISY. Party leader Annita Demetriou and senior officials distanced themselves from Vice President Yiannis Karousos following his public row with Christodoulides over cabinet reshuffles and his comment advising Christodoulides supporters within DISY to leave the party immediately. Although a cooperative DISY-government relationship was once contemplated around shared economic and foreign policy goals, the post-election landscape has shifted into direct rivalry with an eye on the 2028 presidential race. Board appointments to semi-governmental bodies and shadow cabinet selections have become proxy battlegrounds for influence. Adding to the complexity is former DISY president Averof Neofytou, who continues to exert significant influence within the party. Neofytou maintains a sharp opposition stance against Christodoulides, whom he has repeatedly described as a renegade responsible for his 2023 election defeat. While Demetriou currently leads in opinion polls, potential rivalries between Demetriou, Neofytou, and other senior figures like Efthymios Diplaros, Dimitris Demetriou, and Karousos leave DISY’s long-term presidential strategy undecided. At the same time, both the Presidential Palace and DISY are competing over ideological purity to stem losses to the far-right ELAM. Recent spats over administrative details—such as removing parents’ names from national identity cards—and public debate over right-wing policy stances highlight how both camps are actively working to secure their conservative voter base. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Former POWs detail torture and beatings in Turkish prisons during 1974 Cyprus invasion Declassified 1974 document reveals US diplomat accurately outlined Turkey’s invasion plans Man arrested after sharp object face attack in Limassol Arson suspected after early hours fire destroys buggies and quad bikes in Protaras Summer storms, hail and heat up to 37°C set to hit Cyprus Three police officers suspended over Paphos attack Attempted murder in Nicosia as woman locked and badly beaten at Nicosia home Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.