Questions have been raised over the decision by businessman Mike Spanos to represent Fidias Panayiotou, leader of the Direct Democracy Movement, at Friday's meeting of the National Council.
According to information obtained by Politis, Spanos is not a party official but is a registered member of the movement, having joined through the party's digital application platform. Under the party's constitution, anyone registered through the application is considered a member.
Government sources told Politis that, provided an individual is a member of a political party, they may represent that party at the National Council. The same sources noted that the body's role is purely advisory and that it does not make binding decisions, meaning representation by a member or party official is permitted.
Panayiotou says he lacks sufficient knowledge
The issue stems from a video posted by Panayiotou on Thursday, in which he announced that he would not attend the National Council meeting himself because he does not believe he has sufficient knowledge of the Cyprus problem.
The MEP said Spanos, whom he regards highly and who advises him on economic matters, would attend in his place.
Triantafyllides questions move
The decision prompted criticism from lawyer Christos Triantafyllides, who commented on the matter in a post on X.
Παρα πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα η τοποθετηση του Φειδια Παναγιωτου οτι δεν θα παραστει εις τη συνεδρίαση του Εθνικου Συμβουλιου διοτι δεν …εχει γνωση του Κυπριακού αλλα θα εκπροσωπηθεί απο καποιο που δεν εχει σχεση με το Κομμα του η αλλα εχει θετικη αποψη γ αυτον.
— Christos Triantafyllides (@TriantaCY) July 24, 2026
Διερωτουμε αν αυτό…
Triantafyllides described Panayiotou's position as "very interesting," noting that the party leader had chosen not to attend because he considers himself insufficiently informed on the Cyprus issue and instead selected a person without an organisational role in the party to represent him.
He questioned whether representation by proxy is compatible with the rationale behind the National Council, arguing that the body is intended to bring together political leaders who represent specific constituencies and positions on the Cyprus problem.
According to Triantafyllides, the case appears to involve the expression of a political leader's personal views through a third party rather than direct representation of a political movement.
He also suggested the episode may highlight the need for a broader review of the institution, its operation and the rules governing participation and representation.
Questions over internal process
Triantafyllides further asked whether the party had applied the principles of direct democracy it promotes by consulting members on whether Panayiotou or another individual should represent it at the meeting.
He also referred to Spanos' family connections to Kyrenia through his mother's side and the historic Dome Hotel.
In that context, he questioned whether Spanos was comfortable representing Panayiotou, referring to a past social media post in which the MEP shared a photograph of himself at a hotel in occupied Kyrenia.
