EDEK holds extraordinary national congress following election failure

On July 5, 2026, the EDEK party held an extraordinary national congress in Nicosia to address its future after failing to enter parliament in the recent elections with only 3.3% of the vote. Party leader Nikos Anastasiou proposed a roadmap for reorganization, resulting in the decision to hold a statutory congress in October 2026 followed by an ideological, political, and electoral congress in December 2026. The assembly established a registry member sanitization committee, including Nikos Anastasiou, Nikos Nikolaidis, Michalis Koutalianos, Diomidis Diomidous, and Pavlos Michael. Additionally, a credentials committee was formed with Andreas Yiangou, Savvas Iliofotou, and Roula Mavronikola. The congress reached decisions regarding the validation of the membership registry and the necessity of an independent financial audit due to the loss of state funding and internal restructuring requirements. While the proceedings remained focused on the agenda, reports indicate instances of tension at the start and during the address of former party president Marinos Sizopoulos. The party aims to redesign its organizational structure and address internal membership disputes to move past its recent electoral losses.