The EDEK Youth Wing has taken a stance on the reactions to the candidacy of Sofia Christodoulou, who is running for the party presidency.
The reactions in recent days concern whether the candidate is eligible to run for the presidency, a matter that will be examined—along with the other three candidacies—by the relevant committee.
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In a statement, the EDEK Youth Wing notes that “we are following with anger and concern the developments of the past few days regarding whether the President of the EDEK Youth Wing, Sophia Christodoulou, has the right to run for the presidency of EDEK.”
While emphasizing that depriving the Youth President of her right to run, on equal terms, for the party presidency would constitute “an unprecedented, deeply anti-constitutional, and anti-democratic development, which would not only be directed against a single candidacy, but against the right of the younger generation to participate in shaping the future of our party.”
At the same time, he adds that such a decision would harm the EDEK Youth as a whole and send the message that young people, even when they contribute, work hard, and are recognized by the party itself, can be denied the right to compete on equal footing for the highest position of responsibility. It will also call into question the future right of every member of the Youth Wing to vie for any position of responsibility.”
“It seems inconceivable that the party itself—which for years recognized Sofia Christodoulou as a member, entrusted her with representing the party in international and European organizations, allowed her to participate in internal party electoral processes, and entrusted her with important party responsibilities, could now go so far as to question her status as a member and her continuous and active presence.All the more so when, at the crucial time when Sofia was a member of the EDEK Youth Wing, the provision in the Party Charter regarding the automatic registration of Youth members in the party’s membership registry was in effect, making her a member since 2017 —a provision whose repeal today raises legitimate questions.”
At the same time, the Party’s Youth Wing notes that if “Sophia is excluded from the electoral process, then the question arises: who is considered a member of EDEK? Who decides who is an EDEK member? For us, the answer is clear. It is consistent presence, contribution, action, and recognition by the party itself—not the ever-changing interpretations that vary depending on who the candidate is and what political expediencies are being served. Equality before the law cannot be a privilege reserved for the few while being denied to those who have consistently and demonstrably served EDEK.”
The EDEK Youth, he adds, will not accept any decision to exclude her.
“It is our historical duty and obligation to defend not only Sofia Christodoulou, but also the credibility of our institutions, the equality of all members, and the right of every EDEK member—male and female—to be judged by the same standards.”
He also emphasized that the party, as it navigates a critical period, needs transparency, credibility, and decisions that will inspire confidence in all its members.
“We are not asking for preferential treatment for the Youth President. We are calling for the application of equal rules for all and for the safeguarding of Sofia Christodoulou’s indisputable right to democratically vie for the party’s leadership. Fellow party members, stand with us, stand by our side. We call on the Credentials Committee to operate with complete independence, impartiality, and absolute respect for the facts and data! The future of EDEK hinges on your decision.”
It should be noted that Kyriakos Mavronikolas, Marios Hannides, Sophia Christodoulou Makri, and Giorgos Kouttoukis.
