In a surprising outcome of the recent European elections, 24-year-old YouTuber Fidias Panayiotou was elected as an independent member of the European Parliament. With his 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube, Fidias gained popularity through his videos where he interacts with celebrities like Elon Musk and organizes outlandish competitions. Despite identifying as a “professional error maker” with no political experience or affiliations, he urged young people to vote in the elections.
Initially, Fidias did not aim to be elected but rather wanted to motivate young people to become politically engaged. However, his campaign gained traction, leading to his surprising victory with 19.4% of the votes on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. This achievement has been seen as a rejection of the existing political system in crisis and a call for reform by the younger generation.
The new MEP emphasized the importance of parties modernizing and listening to the people in response to his unexpected win. Critics believe that traditional parties are out of touch with voters and fail to recognize the influence of social media, which played a significant role in Fidias’ election. Despite his lack of a detailed political program, he used platforms like Instagram and TikTok to mobilize support among young voters.
Fidias admitted to his lack of political knowledge before his candidacy but committed to learning and asking questions. His victory as a completely independent candidate without ties to any party highlights the changing landscape of politics where social networks can amplify the voice of non-traditional candidates. While some of his past actions, such as attempting to travel without paying and asking for money, have sparked controversy, he remains dedicated to using his platform to encourage youth participation in politics.
In conclusion, Fidias’ election is a clear indication that traditional political systems are becoming obsolete in today’s digital age. Young people are demanding change and looking for alternative voices who can speak their truth without being tied down by party ideologies or special interests.
Fidias may not have had much experience in politics before running for office, but he has proven that with determination and a strong social media presence, anyone can make it into government – even if they’re just trying not to make any mistakes along the way!
