Newsroom
When MEP Fidias Panayiotou announced he was starting a political party, he says he was immediately hit with offers of up to €50,000 each, which he claims could have added up to €400,000.
“I told everyone thank you, but we won’t take it,” Panayiotou said. “No one should come and control what we do.”
The politician warned that accepting donations often comes with hidden obligations.
“Many times someone will give you money, but then they’ll want a favor. That’s how things have worked so far, and we want to avoid that.”
Panayiotou also revealed that some billionaire friends in Cyprus told him how donations can influence party priorities:
“‘I’ll give you 50 thousand,’ they say, ‘and this will be your priority.’ But we never know what deals are made behind closed doors.”
The MEP’s stance sends a clear message: his party will be transparent, independent, and free from the influence of wealthy donors, a contrast to traditional political fundraising in Cyprus.
