Fidias Panayiotou, 24-years old, created a history as most voted independent candidate in the country with 19.4% to be elected to European Parliament. He garnered the third-largest number of votes to be elected as an independent MEP to the European Parliament. His journey is a true example of the use of modern media and the changing political landscape in Cyprus and around the world. Let’s look how he started his journey from internet sensation with over 2.6 million follows in YouTube to now become a serious political figure.
The Unlikely Start
It all began six months before the election when Fidias received a call from a local politician (Andronicos Zervides) urging him to run for the European Parliament. He initially, couldn’t find a reason for why he should as he was dissatisfied with the political system in the nation. However, the same became the fuel for him to decide to take on the challenge. A challenge to make a statement and perhaps create a history by actually winning it. He did present a visual representation of another prankster youtuber Niko Omilana who in UK ran for mayor and MP – but lost both those election.
Initial resistance from close ones
Despite initial resistance from his family and friends, Fidias announced his candidacy. His first public appearance, where he wore three ties and his underwear (without any pants), was not taken seriously. This led to a viral moment, but one that did not gather the respect he hoped for. At this point, he realized he needed to change his approach to be seen as a serious contender.
Time to build credibility
As no one was taking him seriously – to gain credibility, Fidias sought to run under a political party’s banner. After being rejected by two parties; he found support from the Green Party due to he being an environmentalist and a vegetarian. However, he decided to put this decision to a public vote on TikTok, where 70% of his followers chose for him to run as an independent candidate. And, that’s exactly what he did following the voice of the people which increased people’s ownership towards his candidacy as their own.
Innovative Campaigning
Fidias’ campaign strategy was unconventional yet effective. He started a podcast where he discussed various topics, including AI, philosophy, and politics, making complex subjects accessible to the general public. This approach helped him gain a following and build a rapport with the people. People now started talking about him in family gathering to colleges. He was no longer seen as a prankster but rather an intellect.
Educating the Masses
Fidias focused on educating the public about the European Union, politics, and the voting process. He even created tutorials on how to vote, something no other candidate had done anytime before. His efforts resonated particularly with the younger generation, sparking an interest in politics among those who were not yet eligible to vote. As Cyprus is the only nation where people had to register to vote and for ones over 25 years old – need to register in two different locations. People generally took this as a hassle and not register. However, his effort resulted in people signing up for it.
Symbolic Actions further boosted his voter count
To encourage voter registration, Fidias undertook a symbolic run across Cyprus, starting from the Turkish-occupied north to the free south, wearing a t-shirt that read “Register to vote.” It covered 80km of the distance. His family members urged him to not to start from the Turkish-occupied north – however, just do the half run which is as good and safe. That did not stop him though. He did the full marathon, which not only demonstrated his commitment but also inspired 26,000 people to register to vote, breaking previous records for voter registration.
Gaining Respect
On the day he officially filed his candidacy, Fidias wore formal attire, surprising many who were used to his casual style. This marked a turning point, as people began to take him seriously. His “I’m tired” speech resonated with many, expressing the frustrations of both young and old citizens with the current political system.
The turning point
Fidias mentioned as that being the turning point of his candidacy with him getting the calls from media house now for solo interview and ones with other candidates. Fidias’ approach differ sharply with traditional politicians. His enthusiasm and candidness stood out against the robotic demeanor of other candidates. His casual getup resonated with people as well. Despite facing criticism from established political figures, his honesty and willingness to learn won him widespread support. As when asked about how the politics, European parliament works – he simply responded to not knowing that and he’ll learn.
Success and impact
Ultimately, Fidias’ journey to the European Parliament was marked by his ability to connect with people on a personal level and his innovative use of social media. His story highlights the potential for unconventional candidates to make a significant impact in politics.
Fidias Panayiotou’s transition from a YouTube prankster to a Member of the European Parliament is a remarkable story of determination, innovation, and the evolving nature of politics. His journey demonstrates that with the right approach, even the most unlikely candidates can achieve significant success and inspire change.
Lessons for Nepal
Nepal, currently navigating a complex political landscape especially due to foreign policy dilemmas and shifting alliances with the 5th alliance now being formed in less than 2 year period. We, as a nation can draw several lessons from Panayiotou’s success:
- Engagement of Youth in Politics: Panayiotou’s election highlights the importance of involving young people in the political process. In Nepal, where the youth population is substantial (with 40.68% of people belonging to age group 16-40 per UNFPA Nepal report), political parties could benefit from fostering greater youth participation to bring fresh perspectives and energy into governance.
- Leveraging Social Media/technology: The effective use of social media was crucial to Panayiotou’s campaign. Nepalese politicians can similarly harness digital platforms to connect with voters, particularly the tech-savvy younger generation. Sumana Shrestha demonstrated that when in opposition with actively sharing the bills being tabled in the parliament to when she was the minister where she also got people together to work on the project with the use of github.
- Challenging the Status Quo: Panayiotou’s victory sends a clear message that the electorate is open to non-traditional candidates who challenge existing political norms. In Nepal, where political instability and economic recovery are pressing issues, new voices and approaches could pave the way for more effective governance. This is shown partly in the last election but will only get bigger with time and if the people’s frustrations are still unresolved.
- Transparency and Accountability: Panayiotou’s candid and transparent approach, admitting his lack of political knowledge but his willingness to learn and serve, resonated with voters. Nepalese leaders could adopt similar transparency to build trust and accountability in their political endeavors. It is not just about speaking big words. People have smaller problems and it’s all about resolving that first.
