Running for the Cypriot Parliament
Panagiotou Fidias has announced his candidacy for the upcoming Cypriot parliamentary elections in May. He will run under a newly formed party called “Άμεση Δημοκρατία της Κύπρου” (Direct Democracy of Cyprus).
Party Platform: The party’s ideology is based on direct democracy, where citizens would vote on major issues through an app. Fidias has stated, “We believe that the people should decide more often.”
Potential Conflict: If elected, he would hold a seat in both the Cypriot Parliament and the European Parliament simultaneously, which Cypriot electoral law does not permit. He has stated that his party’s members will collectively decide which seat to keep.
Official Party Announcement on Policies
Following his election as the first president of the Direct Democracy party, Fidias Panagiotou stated that the party will publish its policy positions in various sectors in the coming days. This suggests that the party may release a detailed legislative program, including any plans for pensioners, shortly as the May parliamentary elections approach. In a recent interview on a media channel, he insisted that venerable people and pensioners should receive a pension increased to as much as the minimum wage so pensioners can have enough to live on.
Recent Party Developments
The party has focused on internal organizational matters, which may explain the delay in publishing a formal platform:
Leadership Election: On March 21, 2026, Fidias Panayiotou became the first president of the Direct Democracy party, securing 56.79% of the vote in an online internal election.
Vice-President Appointment: Following his election, Panayiotou appointed Diana Constantinides as the party’s vice-president.
Next Steps: The party leadership’s first priority is registering citizens on the electoral rolls, after which they will release policy positions.
Investigations by European Authorities
In addition to his national campaign, two European bodies are currently investigating Fidias regarding the potential misuse of EU funds.
The Allegations: The investigation began after anonymous complaints and focuses on a villa he rented in Limassol, which he declared as his political office. The allegations suggest he used the property, which has a pool and garden, as a holiday residence and for private parties rather than as an office. The monthly rent reportedly falls between €5,000 and €6,000.
The Investigators: The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) are examining the case. These bodies investigate crimes that affect the EU’s financial interests, such as fraud and embezzlement of funds.
Fidias’s Response: Fidias has denied any wrongdoing. He claims that the European Parliament actually owes him €15,000 and that he spends his own money to support his work. He has stated he has no official information about an investigation and plans to respond to the allegations in a video, suggesting the timing is politically motivated due to the upcoming elections.
