Annita Demetriou has explained her decision to withdraw her bid for DISY’s presidential nomination, saying she wanted to break the political deadlock and preserve unity within the party.
Speaking on SIGMA’s Protoselido programme on Monday morning, Demetriou addressed recent developments within DISY, including the meeting held in her office at which her withdrawal was announced.
She also responded to rumours that she had been pressured, blackmailed or involved in behind-the-scenes agreements to abandon her candidacy.
Decision taken to preserve party unity
“I have conducted myself with integrity and honesty throughout all these years. You did not have to be a DISY member to understand that this situation could not continue,” Demetriou said.
She revealed that she had reached her decision on Thursday evening, before the announcement was made.
“It was the decision that would break the deadlock and safeguard the unity of the party,” she explained.
Asked whether she had been too quick to announce her candidacy, Demetriou said she had considered it her duty at the time.
However, the divisions that subsequently emerged within DISY led her to reconsider and ultimately withdraw.
Meeting and discussions with party figures
Addressing the involvement of Frixos Koulermos, Demetriou clarified that she had invited him to the meeting herself.
“I was the one who called him,” she said.
She also disclosed details of a conversation with Giorgos Pamboridis at the House of Representatives.
“George, this situation cannot continue. It does not benefit people, and our supporters are reacting. I will be the first to take a step,” she recalled telling him.
According to Demetriou, Pamboridis attempted to persuade her to reconsider.
“To his credit, George tried to change my mind. I told him there was no other way,” she said.
Demetriou says supporters feel relieved
Demetriou maintained that her withdrawal was necessary to overcome the divisions within the party.
“I felt I had to take that step. People feel relieved, I can sense it,” she said.
Her comments came as she sought to explain the circumstances surrounding her decision and address allegations of pressure or secret agreements.
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