In accordance with Cypriot electoral law, Fidias Panayiotou must relinquish one of his seats, as the country’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for May.
Known as “Fidias,” Panayiotou has accumulated approximately 2.6 million followers on his YouTube channel since 2019. He gained notoriety by undertaking a quest to hug billionaire Elon Musk, a mission he eventually accomplished. His unexpected election to the European Parliament in 2024 caught many by surprise, as he secured the position without any prior political experience, expressing his dissatisfaction with the ongoing governance by “nerds” in Brussels.
The MEP is also working on forming a new political faction in the European Parliament, aligning with Slovak MEPs associated with pro-Russia Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fidias caused a stir last May by participating in Russia’s “Victory Day” celebrations alongside German and Slovak MEPs.
His party in Cyprus received temporary approval from the Cypriot Interior Ministry on Thursday to participate in the elections, adopting the name “Direct Democracy of Cyprus.” The original title “Direct Democracy” was not accepted as it refers to a governance system rather than a specific political entity. According to recent polls, the party holds the fifth position with 6 percent support.
Fidias is currently under scrutiny for allegedly misusing European Parliament funds in connection with an office space claimed to be rented in Limassol, featuring four bedrooms, a swimming pool, and a garden. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the matter.
He claims the property serves as an office space, not a personal residence, intended for visits from numerous officials, and he plans to seek his followers’ opinions on whether he should retain it.
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