Leader Averof Neofytou Preceded by United Party Youth wing NEDISY | Founder Glafkos Klerides Headquarters Nicosia, Cyprus | |
Founded July 4, 1976 (1976-07-04) | ||
The Democratic Rally (Greek: Δημοκρατικός Συναγερμός, Dimokratikós Sinagermós or Dimokratikós Sunagermós, DISY or DISU), is a conservative and Christian-democratic political party in Cyprus, led by Nicos Anastasiades, the president of the Republic of Cyprus. The party was founded on 4 July 1976 by veteran politician Glafkos Klerides. Klerides served as the president of Cyprus from 1993 until 2003.
DISY serves a diverse spectrum of voters, ranging from hardline nationalists and anti-communists to modern liberals with post-materialist and post-modern values who advocate human rights, including the civil-unions between same-sex individuals, while opposing same-sex marriage and adoption. DISY's platform focuses on free enterprise economic policies, economic development, infrastructure and a practical solution to the inter-communal problem. It is the most explicitly pro-Western and pro-NATO of Cyprus's parties, and draws its support from middle-class professionals, businessmen, and white-collar employees.
DISY is a member of the European People's Party (EPP). In the 2014 European Parliamentary Election it elected 2 MEPs, who joined the EPP Group.
The leaders of the Democratic Rally support practical solutions to solving the Cyprus problem and supported the Annan Plan for the re-unification of Cyprus in 2004, believing that further adjustments could be made afterwards. Following the rejection by the Greek Cypriot Community, four MPs (Sillouris, Prodromou, Erotokritou, Taramoundas) who had opposed the party line were expelled and a number of members willingly resigned. The expelled MPs formed a party called European Democracy. In 2005 European Democracy merged with New Horizons and created European Party. Former party president Yiannakis Matsis headed a splinter coalition called For Europe in the European Parliamentary Election. Matsis gained a seat in the European parliament, also joining the EPP group (while still remaining a member of DISY).
Election results
In the legislative elections of 21 May 2006, the party won 30.52% of the popular vote and 18 out of 56 available seats, and in the legislative elections of 22 May 2011, the party won 34.27% of the popular vote and 20 out of 56 available seats. The party's candidate, Nicos Anastasiades, won the 2013 presidential elections, ended the five years rule of the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL). In the legislative elections of 2016, the party won 30.68%, taking 18 seats in the parliament and remaining the party with the largest representation.