Is Phedon Phedonos gearing up for 2028?

When Phedon Phedonos launched a fresh offensive from Paphos last month, accusing certain Cyprus-based forex companies of laundering dirty money and warning that the Cypriot economy was veering dangerously close to a “casino model,” it sent ripples through Nicosia.

Within DISY (the Democratic Rally party), some worried that Phedonos' sweeping generalizations could give the impression that the pro-business, free-market party was now turning against entrepreneurship. Especially when many of these companies not only contribute significantly to the Cypriot economy but also maintain close ties to the party.

But others saw something else behind the Paphos mayor’s latest broadside: political maneuvering. They read his headline-grabbing accusations as part of a long-standing strategy—his go-to tactic of scandal-busting amid widespread public distrust. They believe Phedonos is meticulously crafting his image as an anti-establishment crusader, eyeing a bigger stage in 2028.

It all began with SAPA

Those who remember Phedonos’ thunderous entrance into politics also remember the unease it sparked within the party headquarters on Pindarou Street. To some, he was bold and forthright; to others, unpredictable and over-the-top, an outsider who could win public support with his fiery rhetoric but stir up serious trouble for powerful interests.

When he took on the Paphos Sewerage Board (SAPA) and major construction companies, many within DISY wrote him off as a showman. But after his warnings were validated, and former Paphos mayor Savvas Vergas landed in jail, Phedonos gained solid ground locally. Still, suspicion toward him lingered in Nicosia.

DISY distanced itself from his mayoral run, while he stood as an independent and defeated a coalition-backed candidate from AKEL, DIKO, and EDEK. From that point on, he wasn't just a mayor—he was a force. He took on local corruption, exposed mismanagement of Turkish Cypriot properties, and raised serious questions about how the Planning Department operated.

Motives in question

So when Phedonos recently turned his sights on forex firms, few were shocked—but many raised eyebrows. What evidence did he have? Why now? And most importantly, why this target?

He didn’t stop at money laundering allegations. He demanded a parliamentary debate on the political influence these companies might wield through media ownership.

His timing coincided with behind-the-scenes chatter about business tycoons entering the media sphere and their possible ties to politicians and government officials. Phedonos dragged that quiet concern into public view, insisting that such companies should never hold political sway or leverage it for perks.

But in doing so, he ruffled feathers, particularly within DISY, highlighting the party’s growing internal friction.

A party divided

The backlash was swift. Members of DISY’s shadow cabinet accused Phedonos of populism and reckless generalizations. Heated exchanges spilled onto social media. Behind the drama, however, lay a deeper issue: the widening rift between DISY’s elected officials and its appointed “shadow ministers.”

Many elected figures have never fully accepted the influence of the shadow cabinet, which was recently institutionalized at a party congress. Some resent its vocal presence on social media, claiming it often contradicts official party positions.

Phedonos didn’t just challenge the legitimacy of these appointed figures, he implied their motives were questionable and indirectly criticized DISY leader Annita Demetriou for enabling them.

Two sides of the same coin?

With his forex allegations and recent claims about a drug cartel, Phedonos has split public opinion. To critics, he’s a populist exploiting public anger, slinging mud without proof.

Police, as in the case with Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides, quickly summoned him to give a statement, with his refusal seen by some as evidence of theatricality, not substance.

Supporters, however, say this reinforces his image as the fearless whistleblower. A man who takes on the establishment and doesn’t flinch in the face of powerful interests.

Is he the right’s answer to Michaelides? The comparison comes up often: both are seen as corruption-busting outsiders, both tap into growing public frustration with elites, and both are accused of populism.

But DISY insiders draw a line: “Odysseas stops things from happening. Phedon makes things happen,” they say, positioning him as a man of action in an era hungry for results.

And in a country where trust in institutions is crumbling, that message might just stick.

A door opens

The question is, could Phedonos become DISY’s presidential candidate in 2028?

In recent months, he’s won new allies within the party. His staunch support for Averof Neofytou in the last presidential campaign was seen as a turning point, a gesture that softened suspicions from party hardliners in the capital who had long viewed him warily.

Despite his unpredictability, he showed party loyalty and discipline. His controversial support for Andreas Mavroyiannis and his push to expel former ministers from DISY caught the leadership off guard, but also demonstrated boldness and independence.

President Christodoulides’ camp isn’t underestimating him either. They frequently resurrect Mavroyiannis’ name to chip away at Phedonos’ conservative support and create ideological tension.

So far, it’s not working. In Paphos, he remains strong. And if June’s election results are anything to go by, he’s gaining ground.

The only real question is, can Phedonos break out of Paphos, both geographically and politically? That’s what 2028’s internal party elections will likely decide, assuming he makes a bid.

Because while DISY may have opened up its leadership vote to the grassroots to block an Averof comeback, it may have unintentionally thrown the door wide open for Phedon Phedonos, the unpredictable and increasingly popular political wildcard.

*This article was translated from its Greek original