Fidias Election: Will it Cost Cyprus €6 Million?

A potential election to elect a new MEP could cost the state coffers up to six million euros if Fidias Panagiotou runs as a candidate with the "Immediate Democracy" party, is elected in the 2026 Parliamentary Elections, and accepts the position.

As explained by the Head of the Election Service, Menelaos Vasiliou, on the Alpha Enimerosi program, there is no alternate candidate for Mr. Panagiotou, as he ran in the 2024 European elections as an independent. Therefore, the by-election will be island-wide to fill one seat, with parties running with one candidate.

"It is the first time that we have such a large amount in the budget, because in the previous elections the offices increased, and therefore the need for by-elections," said Mr. Vasiliou.