Former EDEK MP Giorgos Varnavas announced on today that he will actively support DIKO’s pre-election campaign, while ruling out any candidacy in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

In an open letter addressed to EDEK party officials, members, and voters, Varnavas explained the reasons behind his decision not to return to EDEK and outlined his political stance going forward.

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Varnavas recalled his long-standing personal and family involvement in the Socialist Movement of Cyprus since 1978, until his resignation in April 2024. He attributed his departure to developments within the party over the past decade, citing in particular his March 2023 complaint to the Independent Authority Against Corruption against former party leader Marinos Sizopoulos. He noted that the Authority’s decision in September vindicated his position by confirming the possibility of Sizopoulos’ involvement in acts of corruption.

He argued that, under the previous leadership, EDEK followed a policy of marginalising or expelling members who expressed dissenting views, resulting in senior figures being removed or distancing themselves from the party and leaving it in a weakened position.

Referring to the election of EDEK’s new president, Varnavas said he had publicly called for the lifting of all expulsions, the reinstatement of expelled members, and the convening of an extraordinary electoral congress to reunite the party ahead of parliamentary elections. According to Varnavas, none of these steps were taken, while he himself was never contacted by the new leadership, despite public claims to the contrary.

He also criticised the so-called “unity congress” held in November, arguing that it failed to promote reconciliation and instead allowed renewed accusations by the former party leader, despite the recent findings of the anti-corruption authority.

Against this backdrop, Varnavas said he concluded that the Democratic Party is currently the political force closest to him in ideological and policy terms, particularly on the national issue. He pointed to DIKO’s historical role, shared values with the broader socialist and centrist tradition, and its participation in the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

He stressed that, despite proposals and encouragement from DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos, he will not be a candidate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

Instead, Varnavas said he will actively participate in DIKO’s pre-election campaign, with the aim of strengthening the party so that the centrist political space remains relevant and capable of playing a stabilising role, particularly in view of future challenges related to the Cyprus problem.