Young Cypriot MEP's controversial video sparks outrage

Fidias Panayiotou is a popular influencer in Cyprus. At the age of 24, he became a member of the European Parliament. The election of such a young person with no political experience to such an important position made waves across Europe. Journalists recalled his fame as a YouTuber, notably his attempt to hug 100 celebrities and his week spent in a coffin.

The YouTuber took a very dismissive approach to the elections. He announced his candidacy wearing sneakers, shorts, a blazer, and three ties. With disarming honesty, he admitted that he knew little about the European Union but was fed up with the rule of "bore" officials from Brussels. The unusual candidacy appealed to the citizens of the island country. Fidias received 19.4 percent of the votes, becoming one of the six Cypriot MEPs.

Fidias recorded a video about the Ukrainian-Russian war, which received criticism. The reason is that the influencer presents a perspective favorable to the aggressor, namely Russia. Fidias recommends holding a referendum in each of Ukraine's regions so that citizens can express which country they want to belong to. The Cypriot suggests that eastern Ukraine may sympathize with Russia, citing presidential and parliamentary election results as evidence. TikToker claims that listening to the "will of the people" and identifying which nation the residents want to belong to would enable lasting peace between the feuding countries.

Fidias' reasoning is flawed on many levels. The TikToker cites outdated election results, ignoring changes in political sympathies in Ukraine over the past 12 years. Over the past decade, Russia has intensified efforts to subjugate its smaller neighbor, stirring patriotic sentiments among Ukrainians—as evidenced by the high level of support for President Volodymyr Zelensky even in the country's east.

Fidias also seems not to understand that holding a referendum in areas annexed by Russia and affected by warfare would not be representative. The issues include not only Russian propaganda activities and difficulties in detecting electoral manipulations but also new Russian residents who were purposely relocated in place of Ukrainians. The Russian military expelled millions from their original homes, and tens of thousands were killed. How are these people supposed to participate in a referendum?