A week after taking the helm of EDEK, Sofia Christodoulou Makri has begun signalling her intention to reshape the party’s public image, placing greater emphasis on its socialist and progressive identity while maintaining its traditional patriotic voice.
Christodoulou Makri’s meetings on Friday with President Nikos Christodoulides and House President Annita Demetriou were mainly of a ceremonial nature, but her discussion with the President also touched on the future of cooperation between the two sides.
According to information, the two discussed concerns over the fact that a historic party was left outside Parliament, as well as how EDEK’s political presence and role can continue despite its absence from the House.
The new EDEK leader also used the meeting to highlight the party’s intended direction, seeking to present it as a socialist party focused on social issues and matters affecting citizens’ everyday lives.
Christodoulides welcomed the new EDEK president, saying that the party deserved to have been represented in Parliament and expressing the view that it could return.
He said EDEK had played a decisive role in shaping the government’s election programme, particularly on social policy issues where the party has shown particular sensitivity. He added that many government policies being implemented were moving in that direction.
The President also referred to government initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ daily lives and strengthening disposable income, while taking into account current challenges, particularly those affecting younger generations, including housing.
Christodoulides said the government had the financial capacity to invest significantly, referring to more than ten schemes with investment exceeding €400 million.
Welcoming Christodoulou Makri, he said he looked forward to discussions and an exchange of views, adding that the government was ready to cooperate and support EDEK’s new effort.
He described EDEK as an important pillar of Cyprus’s political life, noting its history as one of the country’s oldest parties and referring to its founding by Vassos Lyssarides in 1969.
The President also said that, although EDEK is no longer represented on the National Council following the parliamentary election result, he would maintain regular contact with the party’s new leader to keep her informed about developments on the Cyprus issue.
For her part, Christodoulou Makri said she wanted to see an EDEK that focused more on social issues, labour issues and matters affecting people’s daily lives.
She said the party’s relationship with the government was extremely important and that EDEK wanted a more active role, not only on the Cyprus issue but also on issues affecting society more broadly.
Acknowledging that EDEK had been left outside Parliament for the first time in many years, she said the party needed renewal and a fresh start.
Christodoulou Makri said the process of rebuilding had already begun, arguing that EDEK represented much more than the 3.3% it received in the parliamentary elections. She attributed the result to specific circumstances, mistakes and omissions, while saying there were already signs of former party members returning.
She added that her aim was not only to bring back former members but also to attract new supporters, noting that the high level of abstention in Cyprus meant there were people who could be inspired by EDEK’s new effort.
