President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed support for EDEK’s efforts to return to parliament following the party’s failure to secure representation in the latest parliamentary elections.
During a meeting with newly elected EDEK President Sofia Christodoulou Makri at the Presidential Palace on Friday, the two sides also agreed to establish regular meetings between the Presidency and the party.
Support for EDEK’s new effort
Welcoming Christodoulou Makri, Christodoulides said the government was ready to cooperate with and support EDEK in its new effort.
He described the party as an important pillar of Cyprus’ political life, noting its long history since its establishment by Vassos Lyssarides in 1969.
“EDEK deserved to be in parliament for many reasons, and I believe it can return,” he said.
Christodoulides also highlighted the party’s contribution to shaping his election programme, particularly its social policies.
“Many of the policies we are implementing are moving in this direction,” he said, adding that further measures would be announced to improve citizens’ daily lives and strengthen disposable income.
He referred specifically to challenges facing younger people and the housing sector, saying the government had the financial capacity to invest through more than 10 schemes worth over €400 million.
Regular briefings on the Cyprus issue
Although EDEK is no longer represented on the National Council following the parliamentary election result, Christodoulides said he would maintain frequent contact with the party’s leadership.
“This is an issue that concerns EDEK and its supporters, so we will hold regular meetings to ensure you are fully informed and can brief the party’s collective bodies on developments concerning our national issue,” he told Christodoulou Makri.
Possible future cooperation discussed
Christodoulou Makri said she wanted EDEK to focus more closely on social issues, labour matters and the problems affecting people’s daily lives.
Asked whether the meeting covered stronger EDEK representation in the Council of Ministers, she said the two sides had discussed “many possible avenues for future cooperation”.
She described the party’s relationship with the government as extremely important and said EDEK wanted to play a more active role in both the Cyprus issue and everyday social matters.
“Unfortunately, we remained outside parliament for the first time in many years. EDEK needs this renewal and restart,” she said.
Christodoulou Makri argued that the party’s support extended beyond the 3.3% it received in the elections, attributing the result to specific circumstances, mistakes and omissions.
She also pointed to the return of former party officials and said the new leadership wanted both to bring back previous members and attract new supporters, including people who currently abstain from voting.
Meetings to be formalised
Speaking after the meeting, Christodoulou Makri described the discussions as substantive and confirmed that regular meetings between EDEK and the Presidency would be formally established.
The talks covered everyday concerns, the GSI, housing and pensions, while EDEK was also briefed on recent developments concerning the Cyprus issue.
She said the party had stressed the importance of receiving briefings either before or after meetings of the National Council, and that the president had agreed to the request.
Christodoulou Makri said the Cyprus issue remained a top priority for EDEK, alongside matters affecting society, employment and people’s welfare more broadly.
Source: CNA
