Green Party Stunned by Efi Xanthou’s Resignation Over Undemocratic Conduct

Efi Xanthou Parts Ways with Green Party After 23 Years

In a move that has sent ripples through the political landscape, Efi Xanthou has announced her departure from the Green Party, a group she has been part of for nearly a quarter of a century. Her resignation comes on the heels of what she describes as a series of undemocratic actions within the party.

Xanthou’s decision was precipitated by events at a Nicosia district party branch meeting on March 27. She criticized the meeting for its handling of mayoral candidates, particularly the decision to exclude a candidate who sought the party’s endorsement from being put to a vote. This, coupled with the party’s failure to share responses from a questionnaire sent to mayoral candidates with its members, contributed to her growing disillusionment.

The former deputy leader, who unsuccessfully ran for the party’s leadership last November, expressed her dismay at the internal workings of the party. She lamented that her efforts to fight for what she believed was right were met with resistance from within her own ranks. “When you fight third parties who attack you, you do not expect your own people to attack you from behind,” she stated.

Highlighting the broader discontent within the party, Xanthou pointed out that out of 67 individuals elected to the central committee in 2022, at least 15 have already tendered their resignations. She hoped that such a trend would prompt introspection within the party.

Despite her decision to leave, Xanthou looks back at her time with the Green Party without regret, cherishing the experiences and lessons learned. However, she expressed her conviction that a movement unwilling to address critical electoral processes is resistant to change, which she can no longer abide by.

In the wake of her announcement, Xanthou told the Cyprus Mail that she has no immediate plans to join another political entity. Her departure follows a series of high-profile exits from the party, including former leader and deputy Charalambos Theopemptou and deputy Alexandra Attalides, who has since joined Volt Cyprus.