Democratic Rally

Democratic Rally
Leader Averof Neofytou
Founder Glafkos Klerides
Founded July 4, 1976 (1976-07-04)
Preceded by United Party[1]
Headquarters Nicosia, Cyprus
Ideology Conservatism[2]
Christian democracy[2]
Pro-Europeanism
Political position Centre-right[3][4]
European affiliation European People's Party
International affiliation Centrist Democrat International,
International Democrat Union
European Parliament group European People's Party
Colours      Blue
House of Representatives
20 / 56
European Parliament
1 / 6
Website
www.disy.org.cy

The Democratic Rally (Greek: Δημοκρατικός Συναγερμός, Dimokratikós Sinagermós, DISY), is a conservative[5] and Christian-democratic[5] political party in Cyprus, led by Nicos Anastasiades, the president of the Republic of Cyprus.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

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).

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).

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ Neofytos Loizides (2012). Transformations of the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot Right: Right-wing Peace-makers?. Beyond a Divided Cyprus: A State and Society in Transformation (Palgrave Macmillan). p. 186. ISBN 9780230338548.
  2. 1 2 Wolfram Nordsieck. "Parties and Elections in Europe". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Neophytos Loizides (2015). Challenging Partition in Five Success Stories. Resolving Cyprus: New Approaches to Conflict Resolution (I.B. Tauris). p. 181.
  4. ↑ Nathalie Tocci (2007). Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. European Politics (Oxford University Press). p. 125.
  5. 1 2 Hans Slomp (30 September 2011). Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics: An American Companion to European Politics. ABC-CLIO. p. 690. ISBN 978-0-313-39182-8. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Euroelections 2014: Official Results". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Giorgos Charalambous (2015). The Party Politics of the Problem. Resolving Cyprus. p. 50.
  8. ↑ "Cyprus - Political Parties". Retrieved 2 April 2016.

External links

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