Influencer MEP Fidias Panayiotou rejects Cypriot parliament seat to remain in EU

Cypriot YouTube influencer and MEP Fidias Panayiotou has chosen to remain in the European Parliament after his newly formed party won seats in Cyprus's national election on Sunday. Despite the electoral success of his upstart party in Cyprus, Panayiotou opted not to take a seat in the Cypriot parliament.

Cypriot influencer-turned-politician [Fidias Panayiotou](/politicians/fidias-panayiotou) has announced he will remain in the European Parliament rather than take a seat in Cyprus's national legislature, following his party's success in Sunday's Cypriot parliamentary election.

Panayiotou, who rose to fame as a YouTube content creator before running for the European Parliament, has built a political movement that resonated with enough Cypriot voters to secure seats in the country's national assembly. However, the MEP has decided his place remains in Brussels and Strasbourg rather than Nicosia.

The decision highlights the unusual position Panayiotou occupies in European politics — a social media personality who has managed to translate online popularity into genuine electoral results. His party's win in the Cypriot election represents a notable achievement for his political project, even if he personally will not be taking up a seat at home.

Panayiotou's choice to stay in the European Parliament suggests he sees greater opportunity and impact at the EU level rather than in Cypriot domestic politics. It remains to be seen who from his party will fill the won seats in the Cypriot national assembly.