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Averof Neofitou | |
|---|---|
| Αβέρωφ Νεοφύτου | |
 Neofytou in 2022 | |
| President of the Democratic Rally | |
| In office 11 May 2013 – 11 March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Nicos Anastasiades |
| Succeeded by | Annita Demetriou |
| Minister of Communications and Works | |
| In office 25 August 1999 – 28 February 2003 | |
| President | Glafcos Clerides |
| Preceded by | Leontios Ierodiakonou |
| Succeeded by | Kikis Kazamias |
| Mayor of Polis | |
| In office 1 January 1992 – 5 June 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Xrysostomos Kyriakou |
| Succeeded by | Mixalis Korakas |
| Member of the Cypriot House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 1 June 2006 | |
| Constituency | Nicosia |
| In office 6 June 1996 – 6 October 1999 | |
| Constituency | Paphos |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1961-07-31)31 July 1961 (age 64) |
| Party | Democratic Rally |
| Spouse | Maria Selipa |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | New York Institute of Technology |
| Profession |
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| Signature |  |
Averof Neofytou (Greek:Αβέρωφ Νεοφύτου; born 31 July 1961)[1] is aCypriot politician, who was the President of the then-rulingDemocratic Rally (DISY) party from 2013 to 2023, and currently serves as Member of theHouse of Representatives since 2006, having previously served in the position from 1996 to 1999. Prior to his election to parliament, which he briefly left to serve asMinister of Communications and Works, he was active in local politics and served as Mayor of his hometown,Polis, from 1992 to 1996.
On 20 March 2022, he was confirmed asDISY's candidate for the2023 Cypriot presidential election. In the first round, on 5 February 2023, he secured 26.11% of the votes, finishing third, belowNikos Christodoulides (32.04%) andAndreas Mavroyiannis (29.59%).[2] He stepped down from the party presidency shortly after the vote, and was succeeded byAnnita Demetriou.
Averof Neofytou was born inArgaka, Paphos, in a non-political family. He completed his secondary education in the public school ofPolis Chrysochous in Paphos. He studied Economics and Accountancy at theNew York Institute of Technology. Averof Neofytou worked in the private sector before he became the mayor of his hometown in Paphos at the age of 30.
Neofytou served as Vice-president of the Youth of Democratic Rally (NEDISY). In 1991, at the age of 30, he was elected Mayor ofPolis Chrysochou in the district of Paphos. In1996, shortly before the end of his term as mayor, he was elected to theHouse of Representatives for the district of Paphos.
In 1999, Neofytou was appointed Minister of Transport and Works in the government ofGlafcos Clerides, a position he held until 2003. In 2003, he was elected as the Deputy President of Democratic Rally. In the parliamentary elections of2006,2011 and2016, Neofytou was re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives for the Nicosia District.
As a Member of Parliament, Neofytou has served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Budget, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, leader of the delegation of the House to the Conference of the Presidents of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the European Union, leader of the delegation of the House to the Conference of European Affairs Committee of the Parliaments of the European Union, leader of the delegation of the House to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and as member of the Select Committee.
Neofytou is currently the leader of the delegation of the House to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. He is also the leader of the delegation of the House to the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union. In May 2013, Averof Neofytou was elected President of DISY, succeedingPresidentNicos Anastasiades.
Neofytou has served as a member of the Union of Municipalities of Cyprus, Honorary Secretary of the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a member of the Board of the Cyprus Football Association and President of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society in Polis Chrysochous.
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Neofytou took over the leadership of the Democratic Rally in 2013, whenCyprus was hit by the financial crisis and had entered a financial agreement withTroika. The new DISY government was called to improve the economy and overcome the recession. Under Neofytou, DISY achieved the parliamentary support necessary to pass the reforms required by theeconomic adjustment program for Cyprus, even though the party lacked a Parliamentary majority in the House. Within three years aftersigning the memorandum of understanding, Cyprus exited the Troika financial assistance program, demonstrating stable growth and economic growth rates above the European Union average.
When announcing his withdrawal from the 2023 Presidential race, he also resigned as head of Disy, leaving that position to be filled by eitherDemetris Demetriou orAnnita Demetriou.[3] Annita Demetriou was elected Disy president in March 2023 with 68% of the vote.[4]
On 22 December 2021 Averof Neophytou announced that he would be a candidate in thepresidential elections, in February 2023, as the official representative ofDISY.[5][6] In July 2022 he was already campaigning for president, while also still leader of Disy. His main opponent wasNikos Christodoulides.[7] He was supported by the president of CyprusNicos Anastasiades and thePresident of the House of RepresentativesAnnita Demetriou.[8]
After securing 26.11% of the public votes in the first round, he came third and failed to qualify for the second round. The independent candidateNikos Christodoulides, supported byDIKO,EDEK,DIPA andSolidarity Movement, received 32.04% of the votes, finishing first.Andreas Mavroyiannis, an independent candidate supported by the left wing partyAKEL, secured the second place, after receiving 29.59%.[9] It meant that Disy was out of the presidential run-off for the first time in history.[10] Former Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades in April 2023 gave a speech denying he'd sought to undermine Averof's presidential campaign, stating he'd sought to resolve the conflict with Christodoulides leaving Disy to run as an independent, and had afterwards backed Averof as Christodoulides' opponent.[11] Neofytou filed his election campaign expenses in April 2023, revealing he'd spent €975,522 for his presidential election bid. Largest listed donors were the shipowner’s union, Treppides and CO, Fiduserve management, FX PRO Financial Services, Duat WB, andTCR International.[12]
Averof Neofytou is married to Maria Selipa and has one son Pericles, named after his father.[13] He is an ethnicGreek.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Leader of theDemocratic Rally 2013– | Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Communications and Works 1999–2003 | Succeeded by |