"Since 1983, DISY has never been out of the second round" - The future Averof

Protoselidos hosted the political analyst Yannos Katsouridis, who spoke about DISY's choices in the second round and about the political future of Averof Neophytos.

He initially stated that after many years one of the two major parties fails to make it to the second round of the elections. "If we look at the main candidates individually then all three did quite well."

He added that the Democratic Alarm since 1983 is in the second round. "The numerical data of the second round will be determined by DISY and then by ELAM".

He explained that in DISY there are three axes that will determine the decision. "The role of President Anastasiades, the contradictions and bitterness that exist within DISY and the burden of the confrontation between the right and the left and the interpretation at the base of DISY".

He explained that it is not the confrontation of the past as there are officials who consider that the two parties are close to the Cyprus issue. He pointed out that those who voted for Averof Neophytou will offset all the above data. "I think that maybe they will come to a logic not to choose one of the two candidates. This will set the world free."

He underlined that theoretically there is a lead towards Mr. Christodoulidis because the main tank is right-wing. "Mr. Mavroyiannis will claim other votes as well. This is what the first Sunday has shown us."

Mr. Katsouridis pointed out that the voters have become quite independent, but this does not mean that the decision of the leadership has no weight.

He added that it is no surprise that Averof Neofytou was left out of the second round. “The main trends were identified from the beginning. After November, it appeared that Mr. Mavroyiannis had stepped forward." He emphasized that the measurements of the last week showed his lead.

He noted that for Mr. Neophytou it was a double-edged sword as to how he will proceed in the election campaign. "Faced with the very high popularity of Mr. Christodoulidis, the long pre-election campaign was the only option to mobilize the party's machinery in order to favor his own candidacy." He added that perhaps somewhere this got caught up in the battle of the alarmed audience. "The exit polls have shown how much he has rallied DISY by bringing back old voters. Inflows from other areas were limited."

Finally, he spoke about the political future of Averof Neophytos, noting that it is not easy for him to leave the party because the result he achieved is very good under the circumstances. "He managed to have the leadership of the party with him. I think that Averov has a role in politics."