Fidias Panayiotou: the Youtuber challenging mainstream politics in the European Parliament
A young Cypriot youtuber, with 2.6 million followers, could bring a new approach to European politics, challenging the status quo and attracting the attention of young voters
Key points
A youtuber in the European Parliament. His name is Fidias Panayiotou, he is 24 years old, has 2.6 million followers and could become MEP for Cyprus, one of the smallest EU countries, which elects only 6 representatives. With a haul of 2 seats, the youtuber admits he knows nothing about politics, but also resents the continued dominance of 'nerds' in Brussels. "I'm 23 years old and I've never voted in my life, and one night I said to myself that if I never voted and never cared, the same nerds would always be in power, and I said 'enough is enough'!," he had announced at the time of his candidacy in January. After hearing the first results of the exit polls: 'We have performed a miracle'.
From creator to MEP
Originally from Meniko, a small village in the Nicosia district, the son of a Greek Orthodox priest, Fidias started his YouTube career in 2019. His channel, populated by videos of extreme challenges and adventurous journeys - such as attempting to hugElon Musk or tour Japan without money - quickly gained popularity. But it was his unique and often irreverent approach to social norms and everyday behaviour that made him a media sensation.
The political turn
Running as an independent, Fidias explicitly rejected association with any traditional political party, choosing to use its platform to incite change. His unconventional campaign focused on attracting the attention of young people and the importance of a new approach to politics.
L’impatto
With a following more than twice the size of Cyprus' population, Fidias' ability to influence public opinion is indisputable. Polls have consistently seen him in a favourable position, indicating that he could actually win one of the six European seats allocated to Cyprus. A success, this, that not only reflects his personal appeal, but also a growing tendency among voters, especially young ones, to favour candidates who seem to challenge the political status quo.
Public and critical reactions
Despite the obvious support, Fidias' candidature has not been without criticism. Some have questioned his understanding and preparedness to deal with complex political issues, given his previous lack of political involvement and admitted lack of knowledge on the subject. Others, however, see his commitment to learn and adapt as a strength.
