Averof Neofytou
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2020) |
Averof Neofitou | |
---|---|
Αβέρωφ Νεοφύτου | |
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 | Argaka, Cyprus | 31 July 1961
Political party | Democratic Rally |
Spouse | Maria Selipa |
Children | 1 |
Alma mater | New York Institute of Technology |
Profession |
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Signature | |
Averof Neofytou (
On 20 March 2022, he was confirmed as DISY's candidate for the 2023 Cypriot presidential election. In the first round, on 5 February 2023, he secured 26.11% of the votes, finishing third, below Nikos Christodoulides (32.04%) and Andreas Mavroyiannis (29.59%).[2] He stepped down from the party presidency shortly after the vote, and was succeeded by Annita Demetriou.
Early life and education
Averof Neofytou was born in
Political career
Neofytou served as Vice-president of the Youth of Democratic Rally (NEDISY). In 1991, at the age of 30, he was elected Mayor of
In 1999, Neofytou was appointed Minister of Transport and Works in the government of Glafcos Clerides, a position he held until 2003. In 2003, he was elected as the Deputy President of Democratic Rally. In the parliamentary elections of 2006, 2011 and 2016, 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, succeeding President Nicos 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.
President of Democratic Rally (2013–2023)
This section may be unbalanced towards certain viewpoints. (February 2023) |
Neofytou took over the leadership of the Democratic Rally in 2013, when Cyprus was hit by the financial crisis and had entered a financial agreement with Troika. 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 the economic adjustment program for Cyprus, even though the party lacked a Parliamentary majority in the House. Within three years after signing 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 either
2023 Presidential Elections
On 22 December 2021 Averof Neophytou announced that he would be a candidate in the presidential elections, in February 2023, as the official representative of DISY.[5][6] In July 2022 he was already campaigning for president, while also still leader of Disy. His main opponent was Nikos Christodoulides.[7] He was supported by the president of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades and the President of the House of Representatives Annita 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 candidate
Personal life
Averof Neofytou is married to Maria Selipa and has one son Pericles, named after his father.[13] He is an ethnic Greek.
Articles and speeches
- Address by the President of the Democratic Rally, Mr. Averof Neofytou to the EPP Group, Brussels, 9 October 2019
- Address by the President of the Democratic Rally, Mr. Averof Neofytou at the Conference in honor of Federal Defence Minister of Germany, Dr. Ursula Von der Leyen "European & Eastern Mediterranean Security. Geopolitical challenges and opportunities", Thursday, 5 March 2019
- Address by the President of the Democratic Rally, Mr. Averof Neofytou at the Conference in honor of Commissioner of Digital Economy and Society, Ms. Mariya Gabriel, Thursday, 31 January 2019
- Address by the President of the Democratic Rally, Mr. Averof Neofytou at the dinner in honor of Commission VP for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, Mr. Jyrki Katainen, Sunday, 27 January 2019
- Keynote Address by the President of the Democratic Rally, Mr. Averof Neofytou, at the Dinner in honor of Manfred Weber, Thursday, 10 January 2019
- Averof Neophytou, leader of Cyprus ruling party, presents a Digital vision for Cyprus 2030
- EU Membership comes with responsibilities, 29/09/2015
- Security concerns in the Middle East and North Africa Regions, Address LII COSAC, Riga, 31 May – 2 June 2015
- «Israel: the credible and once forgotten neighbor», 06/01/2016
References
- ^ "NEOFYTOU Averof".
- ^ "Προεδρικές Εκλογές 2023: Επίσημα Αποτελέσματα". live.elections.moi.gov.cy. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Averof Neofytou to step down as Disy leader, Phile News, 21 February 2023, retrieved 4 May 2023
- ^ A new era at Disy as Annita Demetriou is elected party president, Cyprus Business News, 13 March 2023, retrieved 4 May 2023
- ^ "Κύπρος: Δεν διεκδικεί ο Αναστασιάδης την προεδρία - Υποψήφιος ο πρόεδρος του ΔΗΣΥ, Αβέρωφ Νεοφύτου". ProtoThema (in Greek). 22 December 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ "Disy leader to seek party nomination for presidency | Cyprus Mail". cyprus-mail.com. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Karagiannis, Ilias (12 July 2022), Averof Neophytou: ‘We will keep Cyprus proud and strong’, The Greek Herald, retrieved 4 May 2023
- ^ "403 unauthorized". www.philenews.com. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Προεδρικές Εκλογές 2023: Επίσημα Αποτελέσματα". live.elections.moi.gov.cy. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- France24, 10 February 2023, retrieved 4 May 2023
- ^ Nicolaou, Kyriacos (29 April 2023), Anastasiades speaks at Disy conference, denies trying to undermine Averof, Cyprus Mail, retrieved 4 May 2023
- ^ Kades, Andria (12 April 2023), Neophytou files his election campaign expenses, Cyprus Mail, retrieved 4 May 2023
- ^ "About Averof Neofytou". The Economist. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.