Oriana Papantoniou
A victory far beyond what even the party’s biggest optimists had expected emerged when the ballot boxes opened, or, as late former President Glafcos Clerides famously used to say, when ''the tin was opened'', for Democratic Rally (DISY).
The party’s 27.2 percent result is seen as vindication for party leader Annita Demetriou and her close associates, following the strategy they chose to pursue over recent months in what had been an especially difficult electoral landscape.
By consistently emphasizing what they called “serious and responsible politics,” while urging voters to stay away from populist choices, DISY appears to have struck a chord with voters. In her remarks after the results were announced, Demetriou said citizens had chosen safety and stability.
After enduring a long period of internal turmoil following the 2023 presidential elections, including the departure of party officials and voters, many of whom shifted toward ELAM, the result is being viewed by senior party figures as the beginning of a new chapter, with DISY once again positioned at the center of political developments in Cyprus.
The party fielded candidates in every district, with ballots designed to represent all strands of DISY supporters as well as broader society. Over the past month, polling numbers rose significantly, with the party ultimately managing to secure what had become the major electoral battleground in Nicosia.
Party insiders say the victory was fueled by strong party loyalty shown in recent weeks, as well as the perception among voters that the real race for first place was between DISY and AKEL. Some also believe that the party’s softer tone toward the government of President Nikos Christodoulides in recent months may have helped shape the outcome, one that even the most optimistic figures at DISY headquarters had not predicted.
The day after
At DISY headquarters on Pindarou Street, the focus is now expected to shift toward a message centered on practical politics, arguments backed by substance, and realistic proposals, as attention gradually turns toward the 2028 presidential elections.
At the same time, the election result appears to have shut down any immediate attempts to challenge Demetriou’s leadership. Those waiting for an opportunity to question her position within the party are unlikely to move forward after such a strong showing.
The party’s new parliamentary group is expected, at least initially, to operate in a spirit of caution and cooperation with the leadership, although significant challenges remain given that many MPs come from different ideological currents within the party.
Based on the new political landscape, some adjustments are also expected within DISY’s leadership team as preparations begin for the next presidential race. However, most senior figures currently surrounding Demetriou are expected to remain in place, with party members crediting them for delivering the strong electoral result.
House presidency
Demetriou is now widely expected to pursue the presidency of the House of Representatives, an intention she had openly expressed before the elections.
Although ELAM had stated before the vote that it would not support the DISY leader for the position, the post-election balance may now alter the dynamics. Through negotiations over the chairmanships of parliamentary committees, the current picture could shift considerably.
While AKEL may also view the election as a positive result, the parties it could realistically cooperate with do not appear to command a strong majority. Volt Cyprus failed to enter parliament, while Alma secured only low percentages, making the path toward electing a House president more complicated.
