EDEK is currently in the midst of its election campaign, ahead of the September 5 election, following the confirmation of its four candidates.
Speaking on the Alpha Summer program and asked to comment on statements made by the party’s former president, Nikos Anastasiou, regarding individuals who should be removed for the good of the party, EDEK Spokesperson Giorgos Georgiou stated that “everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this matter. Of course, the only ones who can judge who should be removed, who should remain, or who should come to the forefront are the EDEK members who will vote.”
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He added that the former president of EDEK had said quite a few things, “which, as far as we know, are entirely reasonable, understandable, and justified.”
“At some point, all of us in EDEK must realize that we must respect not only the laws—our own, our bylaws, as well as the decisions of the majority—and, in any case, what most members want or will want. Once we understand this and stop always acting under the weight of bitterness and disappointment, then perhaps we can move forward.”
READ ALSO: Anastasiou Breaks His Silence: Resignation, Psychological Pressure, and a Message for the Future of EDEK
At the same time, when asked to comment on the objections raised regarding the candidacy of the Party’s Youth President, Sofia Christodoulou, in the September 5 election process, Mr. Georgiou emphasized that the tensions are part of the established procedure, clarifying that objections were also raised regarding other candidates.
“There were objections for everyone. I mean, there was an objection that expressed the desire for all candidates to be reviewed. It wasn’t just about one specific candidate and… creating a certain image or anything like that.”
As for the September 5 elections, polling stations will be set up in all provinces, and according to the party’s bylaws, if no candidate secures 50% of the votes plus one vote in the first round, a second round will follow, to be held one week later.
SEE ALSO: Morfakis Makes His Decision: He Has Endorsed All Four Candidates for the EDEK Presidency
He is assessing relations with the government
This will be followed by a constitutional convention in October and the regular electoral convention in November–December.
Regarding the party’s relationship with the government, following the appointments to parastatal organizations, Mr. Georgiou stated that “EDEK’s relationship with the government has gone through many ups and downs, but EDEK has always strived to keep this relationship alive. Always. Perhaps even at a cost.”
He emphasized that the party is not satisfied with the cabinet reshuffle, and that an assessment of relations with the government will be conducted.
“Let’s wait for the new president to be elected on September 5, and we’ll see how the situation unfolds. I believe that even the new president—the one elected on September 5—will refer the matter to the collective bodies, but we’ll ultimately end up at the convention where this issue will be discussed; I believe, once and for all.”
As for appointments to semi-governmental organizations, Mr. Georgiou stated that individuals from EDEK whom they considered qualified had duly submitted their applications to the Advisory Committee.
“Beyond that, some of these members—who we at EDEK considered qualified and capable of contributing to the boards of semi-governmental organizations—were not appointed.”
