NICOSIA  -- Disy president Nicos Anastasiades was on Saturday named his party's candidate for the 2013 February presidential elections, easily trouncing rival Eleni Theocharous in a vote among the 1008 strong executive of theparty. More specifically, Anastasiades took 673 οf the 781 votes cast  -- or 86.73%3. MEP Theocharous won 103 votes, or 13.27%. There were two spoiled and three blank ballots.
In statements after the result was announced, the Disy leader said he was ready to lead the fight for change. Anastasiades thanked the members and officials of the party who contributed to the smooth electoral process, and also thanked his rival "my dear friend and MEP of the partyEleni Theocharous." He said her candidacy had widened nthe party's choice, adding that the period of unanimous decisions were long gone. "To have the courage and daring to enter into a process irrespective of what people think  is an element of democracy which is fundamental in Disy.
"Thank you Eleni for your participation, thank you for contributing to ensure flawless democratic procedures and together I am sure we will continue in the big struggle ahead," he said.
For her part, Theocharous said Disy had made its choice. " I fully respect the result. Disy has chosen its candidate for the presidential elections and I wish him a huge victory. On Monday I will try to arrange a meeting with him," she added.