Sofia Christodoulou Makri has been elected the new president of EDEK following a decisive victory in the party’s internal elections on 5 September.
The 27-year-old secured 1,191 of the 2,233 votes cast, defeating Koulis Mavronikolas, who received 788 votes, and Giorgos Kouttoukis, who received 246.
Makri’s election marks the arrival of a new generation at the helm of the socialist party, with the new president bringing experience in Cypriot and European politics, youth activism and law.
From Deytera to Brussels
Born in 1999, Makri is originally from Masari in Morphou and Mia Milia and lives in Deftera.
She studied Law at the University of Leicester, where she served as President of the UK Struggle and as President of the university’s Greek and Cypriot Community.
She subsequently obtained two master’s degrees, the first in European Studies from University College London and the second in Political Strategy and Communication from the University of Kent.
She also obtained a diploma in Literature from the University of Oxford through online studies.
Experience in European politics
Between 2021 and 2023, Makri worked in Brussels.
She initially worked at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies before joining the Party of European Socialists and its youth organisation, where her work focused on employment and social policy.
Her time in Brussels formed an important part of her professional and political development at European level before she returned to Cyprus and became more actively involved in EDEK.
From EDEK youth wing to party leadership
Makri was elected Secretary-General of EDEK’s youth wing in 2024 and became its president in 2025, a position she held until her election as party leader.
She is also an elected member of the Audit Committee of the Young European Socialists, based in Brussels.
Professionally, she works as a lawyer in Cyprus.
Parliamentary candidate in 2026
Makri stood as an EDEK candidate in the 2026 parliamentary elections in Nicosia district, receiving 1,719 votes.
Several months later, on 5 August 2026, she formally announced her candidacy for the EDEK presidency.
The internal election on 5 September saw her face Mavronikolas and Kouttoukis, with Makri securing a substantial lead over both challengers.
EDEK’s youngest-ever president
Her election makes Makri the youngest president in EDEK’s history and represents a generational shift for the party.
Her background combines legal experience with work in European politics, involvement in the party’s youth organisation and participation in European socialist structures.
As she takes over the leadership, Makri faces the task of defining EDEK’s political direction and strengthening the party’s position under a new generation of leadership.
