The decision to become independent from DIPA was made by the party's MP, Michalis Giakoumis.
The announcement states:
"With this letter I want to inform you of my decision to become independent from DIPA. It is a difficult but absolutely conscious political act.
I submit it with respect, without rivalry, but with a deep sense of duty towards the world of the centrist space, the purest world of Cypriot political life. This world that for years has been plagued by introversion, hatred, passions and personal agendas that have wounded the space and alienated thousands of voters.
My position was clear: that before we closed any issue, we had to discuss institutionally, seriously and collectively the prospect of cooperation between DIPA and DIKO and the overall restructuring of the intermediate space.
Not to satisfy anyone's personal ambitions, but because society demands unity, stability, and political solutions to major problems.
Unfortunately, the Politburo decided not to even open this discussion, issuing a statement with limited communication channels. As has unfortunately been the case for some time now with other administrative, organizational and political issues.
With my independence, I want to send a clear message:
The central space must be kept alive, strong and unifying.
The place needs it especially today, with the rise of apolitical mentality and extremism, with the far right claiming territory with a void of arguments and solutions.
Dialogue is not weakness; it is strength.
And responsibility towards the space and the homeland requires us to keep it united.
This act of mine is a political statement of conscience and responsibility.
And that's how I will walk."
The proposal he submitted:
I want to be absolutely clear about what has happened in recent days. The recent interview by DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos created the public impression that DIKO has submitted a specific proposal for cooperation to DIPA — either officially, unofficially, or through third parties. At the same time, we, the party executives and elected members, have not had any official information.
Society was informed before us, and this is not consistent with the seriousness and institutional function that DIPA – Cooperation should have. This creates the image that DIPA “does not want cooperation”, that we rejected proposals without examining them. This hurts our presence, especially in the center-right space, the space that we express. It is not possible to learn “over the air” that the issue is considered closed and that there are no political prerequisites, without a substantial and institutional discussion having taken place within our own party.
I also want to remind you of something, not as a personal bitterness, but as a political fact: Nikolas Papadopoulos and DIKO deleted me on the same day they deleted Marios Karoyian, the current President of DIPA. If anyone had reason to hold onto anger, so do I. And yet, I say clearly that we must leave hatred and passions behind us. Politics is not a personal matter. Furthermore, I believe that today's statements by the President of DIKO constitute, even indirectly, an admission of mistakes and a mea culpa for the deletions of 2018. This should not make us suspicious, but more mature.
The situation created by this interview constitutes, in my opinion, a historic window of opportunity for the centrist space. Society demands unity, seriousness and clear political proposals. The apolitical situation that is being promoted, politics without content, the rise of the far right and the lack of credible solutions make the cooperation of the forces of the Center not only desirable, but necessary. If we, who spoke of lowering the party flags and raising the flag of the homeland, do not seize this moment, then we remain exposed.
The DIPA must function as befits a modern, responsible party of the Center: with seriousness, institutionality, clear dialogue and political substance. We must talk about our political positions on the big issues — Health, Education, Precision, Energy Poverty, Affordable Housing, Institutional Stability. We cannot discuss only procedurally; we must discuss politically.
In this context, I suggest the following:
The Political Bureau should confirm that the DIPA seeks cooperation in the central area, as it did in the Presidential elections by supporting the current President of the Republic with a specific governance program that also concerns the Cyprus issue. At the same time, we ourselves must form a clear framework of political proposals, which will form the basis of every discussion.
A three-member committee of the DIPA should be established, with a defined role, terms of reference and information procedures, which will investigate in an institutional and responsible manner the conditions for cooperation with DIKO or other forces of the Center. This process must have a strict timetable so that decisions can be made with maturity and clarity.
My proposal is not a reaction — it is an initiative. Society is watching us. And we must prove that DIPA has a plan, has maturity and is not afraid to take a position with transparency, unity and seriousness. We do not operate with sentimentality, we do not close doors, we are not afraid of dialogue. Politics is not a personal story — it is a duty to the homeland.
Today, our task is to reunite the centrist space, with principles, with political positions, with methodology and seriousness. And I believe that DIPA can and should take this initiative.
I close with something that the President of DIPA often mentions: Cyprus needs the support of many amidst today's international developments and uncertainty. Here is Rhodes, here is the leap.
