DISY expels rebel members

DISY HAS officially expelled two rebel deputies who openly opposed the party’s decisions and supported other candidates in the recent Euro elections, it was announced yesterday.

The decision, which had been largely expected, was taken on Tuesday night concerned deputy Christodoulos Taramountas, who left the party on his own initiative to support the European Democracy party, which was formed by two former DISY deputies.

Former party parliamentary spokesman Demetris Syllouris also had his party membership stricken. A party statement said with their behaviour, the specific officials “set themselves willingly outside the party”.

All four deputies have not relinquished the parliamentary seats they won on a DISY ticket.
Taramountas said he could not understand the party’s belated attention as he abandoned its ranks three months ago in disagreement with its policy in the Cyprus problem.

He wondered however why had the DISY leadership not expelled former party chairman Yiannakis Matsis who was elected MEP with the European Democracy.

Taramountas suggested that in both cases there was political intent, which the DISY chief, Nicos Anastassiades, had to explain.

The former DISY deputy maintained that Syllouris would at some point join the European Democracy though his and Syllouris’ next steps would be defined in due time.

DISY on the other hand considers the issue closed but warned that “from now on the provisions of the charter would be strictly enforced”.