Christodoulides says Edek can return to parliament

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday that Edek can return to parliament after losing all its seats in May’s election, during a meeting with the party’s new leader, 27-year-old Sofia Christodoulou Makri.

He said Edek had played a decisive role in shaping the government’s pre-election programme, particularly on social issues.

Social policy and housing

Christodoulides said many policies being implemented by the government were aligned with ideas promoted by Edek, alongside further measures planned to improve daily life and increase disposable income.

He said the government was taking into account current challenges, particularly those affecting younger people, including housing.

The government has the capacity and financial means to make significant investments through more than 10 schemes with a combined value exceeding €400 million, he said.

Edek’s role

Christodoulides described Edek as a significant pillar of political life in Cyprus and the country’s second-oldest party after Akel, having been founded in 1969.

He said that although Edek can no longer attend National Council meetings because it has no parliamentary representation, he would keep Makri informed about developments on the Cyprus problem.

“This is an issue which concerns Edek and its supporters,” he said, adding that regular meetings would be held so that Makri could brief the party’s collective bodies.

New leader’s priorities

Makri said she wanted to see an Edek that engages more with social issues, labour matters and concerns affecting everyday life.