The speech of the President of the Republic was the one that attracted the attention of everyone, as everyone expected him to dispel any shadows, which he did. Nicos Anastasiades[/B] clearly called on the executives, members and voters of DISY to support the candidacy of Averof Neophytou and put an end to the rumour about his withdrawal of his candidacy. "Stand by Averof Neophytou, stand by the party and I am sure that we will win," the President of the Republic said and after stressing that the party's opponent is discord, he cited the example of the 2003 presidential elections when Alekos Markides took on the party's founder, Glafkos Clerides, who was defeated.
Nicos Anastasiades took stock of his government and referred in particular to the decisions taken in difficult times, "when alliances were required in order to achieve their adoption by the Parliament and this was done with the leadership and contribution of Averof Neophytou," he said. "Throughout this decade, mud-slinging and nihilism prevailed on the part of the opposition, which does not say what it will do if the government leaves," the President said. The President called for unity, noting that argumentation is the best practice, noting that it was through discord that some people were allowed in the past to bring what came to the country in 2012.
He showed Christodoulides and opposition
The speech of DISY President and presidential candidate Averof Neophytou moved on the same two pillars, who on the one hand drew the danger of discord and on the other the fear of the return to power of the forces that led the country to the brink of bankruptcy. "From today until the elections when the people, when they trust us and will trust us again, I will not be alone. But, all together. To make our grand visions for the country a reality," he said and referred to the five pillars of his vision: Digital reform, with citizens being able to have the whole state on their mobile phones; affordable housing for all young couples; opportunities for young people to seek their own business and workplace; radical education reform; support for the family and the working mother.
As in the speech of Nicos Anastasiades, in the speech of Averof Neophytou the name of Nicos Christodoulides was not mentioned even once. However, there was a widespread attempt to deconstruct the former Foreign Minister and to identify him with the political opponents of the party. In particular, Averof Neophytou accused the opposition of having no plan, no program, no proposal for governance, only the ambition to get DISY out of power. "In this effort they will not hesitate to use even Trojan horses," he said, adding: "I am telling you clearly from now on: The Democratic Rally will never become a pillar of Trojan horses," the DISY president added. "The answer to these issues was given by Glafkos Clerides himself many years ago. And it was repeated by Nicos Anastasiades many times: The Democratic Rally is not a flag of convenience. It is a party of principles and values. For us, one is the plan and no other.
To the end for victory. Especially when together with the President of the Republic we have given every democratic opportunity within the party. Plans b this historic party, has not, has not and will never have plans," he clarified. Averof Neophytou's speech had parts with strong emotional charge, when he referred to his wife and their child and when he said that the confirmation of his candidacy is the most important moment for him.
The next day
Having now been anointed as a candidate, Averof Neophytou officially enters the presidential race at a time when his political rivals have not even entered the race. This offers the advantage to Averof Neophytou to chart his electoral course without having any pending issues within the party. At the same time, however, the hard times are now beginning for Averof Neophytou and the leadership team of DISY, since they will have to reverse the image recorded by the public opinion polls, contrary to the positive sign with which Nikos Christodoulides is currently credited.
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