The Edek Youth Wing has intervened forcefully in the debate over whether its president, Sofia Christodoulou, is eligible to stand for the leadership of the party.
In a statement, the organisation described any decision to deny Christodoulou the right to contest the presidency of Edek as a "unprecedented, deeply anti-institutional and anti-democratic development", arguing that such a move would affect not only her candidacy but also the participation of younger members in party affairs.
According to the youth wing, excluding Christodoulou would send the message that young people who have been active in and contributed to the party can be denied the opportunity to compete equally for its highest office.
The organisation also challenged suggestions that Christodoulou is not a member of Edek, arguing that the party itself had recognised her as such for years.
It noted that she had represented Edek in international and European organisations, participated in internal party elections and been entrusted with party responsibilities.
The youth wing further cited a provision in the party's constitution which, it said, was in force while Christodoulou was a member of the organisation and provided for the automatic registration of youth members in the party's membership register.
On that basis, it argues that Christodoulou has been an Edek member since 2017.
It added that the subsequent abolition of that provision raises legitimate questions.
‘Who decides who is an Edek member?’
The statement openly questions the criteria used to determine party membership.
"If Sofia is excluded from the electoral process, then the question arises: who is considered an Edek member? Who decides who is an Edek member?"
The youth wing added:
"For us, the answer is clear. It is continuous presence, contribution, action and recognition by the party itself, not interpretations that change depending on who is running and what interests are being served."
The organisation made clear that it would oppose any decision to exclude Christodoulou from the contest.
"The Edek Youth Wing will not accept any decision of exclusion. It is our historic duty and obligation to defend not only Sofia Christodoulou, but also the credibility of the institutions, equality among all members and the right of every Edek member to be judged by the same rules."
The organisation stressed that it is not seeking preferential treatment for its president, but rather the application of the same rules to everyone and the safeguarding of her right to seek the party leadership.
It concluded by calling on the Credentials Committee to act "with complete independence, impartiality and absolute respect for the evidence and facts", adding:
"The future of Edek depends on your decision."
