EDEK party holds constitutional congress amid leadership transition

The Cypriot political party EDEK is holding a constitutional congress on Sunday, October 25, at the Journalists' House in Nicosia. Led by Sofia Christodoulou Makri, the party is initiating a reunification process following the unconditional removal of all previous expulsions. This move has enabled the return of numerous former officials, including former MEP Dimitris Papadakis and former deputy Kostis Efstathiou, as well as figures such as Feidias Stokkos, Michalis Terepeis, and Nikos Nikolaidis. Hundreds of previously expelled members have already been re-registered.

Despite these efforts, the leadership transition faces internal friction, as eleven members of the political bureau loyal to former leader Marinos Sizopoulos have challenged the validity of the congress. The primary goal of the assembly is to revise the party's statute, focusing on internal democracy, transparency, and accountability. Proposed changes include lowering the eligibility period for new members to stand for office from six months to one month and establishing youth quotas for party committees. This congress serves as a precursor to the party's electoral congress, scheduled for December 12 and 13, where members will elect leadership for a five-year term.