The New President’s Priorities, the Team She’s Assembling, and What Lies Ahead for the Party
Last Saturday, EDEK turned a new page. The movement’s members championed a revolution within the party, which until recently had appeared reluctant to embrace major changes, given that it consists largely of people who were mentored by Vassos Lyssarides and guided by discipline, ideology, and perhaps the views of a bygone era on how politics should be shaped.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
EDEK was a party in which, historically, it was difficult for young people under the age of 30 to assume key positions. And yet, 53% of those who participated in the election process elected a young lawyer, just 27 years old, to the highest office, acknowledging and accepting that she lacks the political experience or sense of risk that this position requires—though this, of course, does not preclude her from doing a good job. Sofia Christodoulou Makri undeniably brings a different energy to the socialist movement.
The Constitutional Convention
The party’s new president is currently preparing for the constitutional convention in October. A major process must take place through district conferences, followed by proposals for changes so that, at the constitutional convention, all members will approve the overhaul of the movement’s core charter.
For the new president, the goal is to open up more to society, to free the party from the rigidities of the past and adopt a modern approach that can prevent potential future crises and ambiguities. Based on the movement’s ideology, its goal is for the party to be more attuned to the concerns of young people and to focus more on proposals aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life. Her initial statements indicate her intention to rebrand the party by changing its identity, which until now has been largely associated with a hardline stance on the Cyprus issue and the struggle for liberation. Moreover, she herself told the President of the Republic that the Cyprus issue is not the only topic dominating the current agenda.
Assembling a Staff
Sophia Christodoulou has a three-month term ahead of her, lasting until December. That is the month when the movement will hold an electoral convention to elect a president, vice president, deputy presidents, secretary, central committee, and district committees. It is widely assumed that she will run again; however, until December and her potential re-election, she has limited resources at her disposal.
The new president inherited key personnel from Nikos Anastasiou and even from Marinos Sizopoulos, toward whom she appears to be cautious. Moreover, a large part of the leadership, the political office, and the central committee—including Deputy President and General Director Morfakis Solomonides— supported Koullis Mavronikolas rather than Sofia Christodoulou. Consequently, there are people outside her office door who do not yet trust her very much and whom she herself believes may be serving other agendas.
The rift with part of the rest of the leadership also became apparent during the meeting the day before yesterday with Nikos Christodoulides, when she chose to bring close associates with her to the Presidential Palace rather than members of the party leadership, as is customary at such meetings. These are people in whom she has absolute trust, with one of them coming from within the movement and the other not being a member of EDEK, having chosen in the recent parliamentary elections to publicly support a specific DISY candidate in the Nicosia constituency.Nicosia constituency. These are Haris Petrou and Evangelos Clerides.
At this stage, until December, the president is constitutionally unable to appoint individuals to key positions—beyond a few advisors—nor can she easily select her close associates. According to reports, Sofia Christodoulou is in contact with officials—both new and old—whom she would like to have on her team. She has reached out as part of her initiative to rebuild EDEK by approaching party officials such as Yiannis Anastasiou, while also maintaining contact with individuals who have supported her, such as Doros Theodorou, Kostis Efstathiou, and Nikos Nikolaidis, the former mayor of Limassol and one of those responsible for reorganizing the membership registry. She herself is investing in a mix of old and new leaders so that, together, they can form EDEK’s next cohesive leadership. According to sources close to her, even Dimitris Papadakis is reportedly working quietly and behind the scenes in support of the new president, even though he is no longer a member of the party.
The Expulsions
By December, the process of reinstating expelled members will be complete, and it remains uncertain whether other potential candidates will emerge from among the departing or expelled officials, who will either attempt to “take advantage” of the new leadership or even seek high-ranking positions within the party. On election day last Saturday, an issue arose regarding members who, having been expelled, were unable to exercise their right to vote. Specifically, there was mention of 700 former members; however, members of the movement’s leadership told Alpha on Sunday that the number was actually 262, of whom approximately 160 had previously sent a letter expressing their intention to leave.
The election of Sofia Christodoulou clearly did not please everyone. Grumbling has already begun among leadership officials, members, and heads of district committees, who believe the new president lacks the political experience to take on such a crucial position. Salaried members of the leadership hierarchy are considering resigning. On the other hand, she has some prominent figures on her side.
The “flirtation” with the hill
The President of the Republic is giving the new president a nod, hoping for EDEK’s continued presence in the coalition government as well as support from the new leadership ahead of the 2028 presidential election. A 3.3% share is not negligible for the presidency. The party’s president appears willing to maintain good relations with the government despite the recent criticism directed at Nikos Christodoulides over his decision not to reserve a seat for EDEK in his cabinet. She even emphasizes that the goal is not merely ministerial posts and titles, but rather serving society.
Whether or not to remain in the coalition government is not an easy decision, given that the movement’s base appears divided, and even officials who support Sofia Christodoulou have clearly stated their position in favor of withdrawal.
In a move that was by no means coincidental, the President of the Republic chose to appoint as president of the Cyprus Youth Organization the Vice President of EDEK and son of the President of DEOK, Pambos Christodoulou. Although he himself did not support Sofia Christodoulou, Nikos Christodoulides chose to maintain EDEK’s influence in key positions. It should be noted that in recent months, all eyes have been on ONEK due to the irregularities and the tense situation it was experiencing, so any new appointment would certainly cause a stir.
The Challenge of Survival
One of the biggest challenges Sofia Christodoulou is called upon to manage is the issue of EDEK’s sustainability. For months now, the leadership has been sounding the alarm, stating that the current financial situation can continue and ensure the party’s sustainability until the end of the year. EDEK no longer receives state funding since it is not a parliamentary party and is supported exclusively by its cash reserves and the real estate and other assets of Vassos Lyssarides, which are estimatedat approximately €10–11 million.
Currently, plans are being considered to sell assets to ensure liquidity. The primary focus is on utilizing a listed historic residence near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other properties in the Geri and Aglantzia areas. Discussions are underway to utilize these properties for the benefit of students, in exchange for rent.
It is a fact that this real estate puts EDEK in a more favorable position than other parties that failed to win seats in Parliament, provided it is utilized properly.
