Internal turmoil and leadership developments within EDEK party

The EDEK party in Cyprus is experiencing significant internal friction ahead of its scheduled electoral congress in December. Former party MP Kostis Efstathiou is currently evaluating whether to run for the party presidency, with a final decision expected on Tuesday. Reports suggest he is exploring a consensus-based proposal aimed at uniting different internal factions during a transitional period for the party. Earlier, Efstathiou criticized the current party leadership for centralism, nepotism, and a lack of tolerance for diverse opinions.

Simultaneously, former party president Marinos Sizopoulos has announced his complete withdrawal from all EDEK activities. On November 5, 2026, Sizopoulos stated that his cycle within the party has closed, citing deep dissatisfaction with the current environment. He alleged that he is being systematically excluded from meetings of the Political Bureau and the Central Committee, asserting that he can no longer participate in a system that he believes undermines the party's dignity and seriousness.