"It's a Shock, It's a Miracle": 24-Year-Old YouTuber Elected to European Parliament in Cyprus by 20% of Voters

Cypriot voters have elected Fidias Panayiotou, a 24-year-old YouTube user known for his viral videos, as an independent member of the European Parliament. 

The first exit polls in Cyprus showed that influencer Fidias Panayiotou, who ran as an independent candidate, came in third place, securing a seat in the European Parliament.

Speaking on local television after the exit polls were announced, Panayiotou said: ‘We have achieved a miracle.’

Influencer Fidias Panayiotou won 19.4% of the vote on the Mediterranean island, and his surprise victory is seen as a rejection of traditional political parties.

With 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube, he has made a name for himself through videos in which he meets celebrities such as US billionaire Elon Musk and organises hilarious cooking competitions.

The YouTuber, who describes himself as a ‘professional bugger’ with no political experience or party affiliation, ran a social media campaign urging young people to vote in the weekend's elections.

‘What has happened is a shock, a miracle,’ the young elected official, who is also active on Instagram and TikTok, told public broadcaster CyBC.

‘The parties should take this as a warning that they need to modernise and listen to the people,’ he said.

Observers believe that the election of a person without a detailed programme shows that traditional parties have lost touch with voters and do not understand the impact of social media.

The two main parties, the Democratic Cohesion (DISY) and the Progressive Workers' Party (AKEL), are tied and are projected to win between 22.6% and 25.4% each. 

The far-right National People's Front (ELAM) is in fourth place with 10.9% to 13.1%, defeating the Democratic Party (DIKO), which is in fifth place and receiving between 8% and 10% of the vote.