Edek holds its statutory congress on Sunday at the Journalists’ Home in Nicosia, at a critical moment for the party’s future, with proceedings scheduled to begin at 10am. The congress takes place in a highly charged internal climate, as the effort to rebuild Edek after it lost its parliamentary representation in the May elections is accompanied by disputes over the procedure followed and the legality of the gathering itself. The day marks an important political test for the party’s new leadership under Sofia Christodoulou Makri, which is seeking to push through changes to the way Edek operates while internal opposition continues to surface.
Internal dissent and the return of expelled members
Particular attention is focused on 11 members of the Political Bureau who have challenged the legality of the statutory congress, questioning the procedure that led to it being convened. The congress also unfolds under the weight of the internal feuds that marked Edek in recent years. At the centre of attention is the return of party figures who were expelled under the leadership of Marinos Sizopoulos, following a decision to lift the expulsions. Among them are former MEP Demetris Papadakis and former MP Kostis Efstathiou, whose presence is expected to carry significant political symbolism.
The proposed changes to the party statutes
The core of the proceedings concerns the proposed amendments to the party’s statutes, which aim to reorganise its structures and give members a greater role in decision-making. The proposals put forward for discussion include abolishing positions in the leadership hierarchy, introducing term limits for party officials and strengthening accountability. They also provide for a mandatory financial contribution from the party’s elected and appointed officials and for parliamentary candidates to be selected through internal elections. Of particular political significance is a proposal for Edek to run its own candidate in the presidential elections, which, if adopted, could shape the party’s strategy ahead of 2028 and its scope for cooperation with other political forces.
The financial and political stakes
The congress comes as Edek grapples with the consequences of its electoral defeat in May, which left it outside the House of Representatives. Beyond the loss of its seats, the party faces serious financial pressure, as its new position means losing more than €500,000 a year in state funding. The need to cut operating costs and reorganise the party machinery gives added weight to the decisions to be taken. At the same time, Edek must redefine its political presence and find ways to reconnect with society, in a political landscape marked by realignment and the rise of new parties.
Looking ahead to December
The statutory congress is the first major milestone on the road to the party’s electoral congress, scheduled for 12–13 Dec., where the new organisational and leadership structure is expected to take clearer shape on the basis of the statutory changes approved on Sunday. The key question is whether the congress will mark the start of a genuine relaunch or whether internal disagreements will continue to weigh on the rebuilding effort. Either way, its decisions are expected to set Edek’s course over the coming months, at a time when returning to parliament and to the wider political stage is the party’s greatest challenge.
