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A decision by conservative New Democracy party MEP Fredi Beleri, whose past has been controversial, to support independent Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou \u2013 a popular YouTube prankster \u2013 for Vice-Chairman of European Democracy Shield, a new European Parliament special committee, has sparked reactions both within and beyond the ND party.<\/p>\n
Beyond Beleri\u2019s backing, Panayiotou, 24, also received support from US high-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, whom he has met. Musk shared a video posted by Panayiotou on the American\u2019s X platform, announcing his candidacy for the Vice-Chairman position in his signature energetic style. The American entrepreneur and ally of US President Donald Trump commented: \u201cVote for Fidias. He is smart, super high-energy, and genuinely cares about you!\u201d<\/p>\n
MEP Kostas Arvanitis, a member of the leftist Syriza party, criticized Beleri\u2019s support of Panayiotou on X, saying: \u201cA partnership between New Democracy and the far-right in favor of Musk in the European Parliament.\u201d He further described Panayiotou as \u201cMusk\u2019s representative in the EU and a fanatical supporter of the American tech entrepreneur.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beleri, an ethnic Greek born in Albania, was recently released from prison following a conviction for vote-buying in a municipal Albanian election. Explaining his decision to support Panayiotou, he stated: \u201cThere was no candidate from the European People\u2019s Party. I chose to support the independent Cypriot MEP, Fidias Panayiotou, based solely on his Greek origin and nothing more. Mr. Arvanitis\u2019s complexes neither affect me nor concern me.\u201d<\/p>\n
New Democracy MEP Eliza Vozemberg stepped in, describing Beleri\u2019s support of Panayiotou as a \u201cpersonal choice\u201d that \u201cdoes not align with the political stance of the New Democracy Eurogroup.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Panayiotou, who has more than 2.6 million subscribers, garnered the third-largest number of votes with 19.4% in last June\u2019s European Parliament election, despite having no political experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last year, Panayiotou sparked outrage in Japan and was forced to apologize after posting a YouTube video in which he dodged train fares and skipped out on a five-star hotel breakfast bill.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n