Sophia Christodoulou Makri elected as first female president of EDEK

On September 5, 2026, 27-year-old Sophia Christodoulou Makri was elected president of the EDEK party, becoming the youngest leader and the first woman to hold the position since the party's founding in 1969. In an election characterized by internal friction and concerns over voter rolls, Christodoulou Makri secured 1,191 votes, representing 53.5% of the total, which allowed her to win in the first round. Former Defence Minister Kyriakos Mavronikolas followed with 788 votes (35.4%), and Giorgos Kouttoukis received 246 votes (11.1%). Out of approximately 8,000 eligible members, 2,233 participated in the vote.

The leadership transition marks a significant shift for the organization, which has recently faced electoral losses and internal instability. The new president, who previously led the party's youth wing, has pledged to foster unity, modernize the party, and reconcile with former members. Reports indicated that the voting process was marked by tensions, including disputes over the exclusion of over 700 individuals from the electoral rolls. President Nikos Christodoulides and AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou have already held telephone conversations with the new leader to congratulate her, with meetings expected to follow. Christodoulou Makri now faces the task of reorganizing the party's strategy, managing internal dynamics, and deciding on the party's future political stance.