EDEK party moves toward reunification under new leadership

The Cypriot political party EDEK is preparing for a Statutory Congress scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at the Journalists' House in Nicosia. Under the leadership of Sofia Christodoulou Makri, the party has initiated a policy of unconditional reinstatement for all previously expelled members, marking a significant attempt to reorganize and unify its political base.

Prominent figures confirmed to return include former MEP Demetris Papadakis and former deputy Kostis Efstathiou, along with several others such as Pheidias Stokkos, Michalis Terepeis, Michalis Michael, Chrysos Touloupis, Yiannis Pieridis, and Nikos Nikolaidis. While reports indicate that Giorgos Varnava has expressed interest in returning, his formal reintegration remains unconfirmed. The new leadership reports that hundreds of former members have already been added back to the party registry.

Despite these efforts, internal friction persists within the party hierarchy. Eleven members of the Political Bureau, described as close associates of former leader Marinos Sizopoulos, have publicly challenged the legitimacy of the upcoming congress, labeling it invalid. The party expects a high turnout of reinstated members at Sunday's event, which is set to serve as the first major milestone for the new administration.