Fidias Panayiotou appoints Mike Spanos to represent Direct Democracy at National Council

Nicosia, Cyprus. MEP Fidias Panayiotou will not attend the National Council meeting ahead of next week’s UN talks on the Cyprus problem, saying he lacks sufficient knowledge to advise President Nikos Christodoulides. He appointed businessman Mike Spanos to represent Direct Democracy.

Decision announced

Panayiotou announced his decision in a video published on Thursday night, citing the importance of the upcoming discussions ahead of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to Cyprus next week.

“Because I have self-awareness, and like Socrates used to say, know thyself, I recognise that I don’t know enough about the Cyprus issue so as to advise the president,” he said.

Spanos’ representation

Panayiotou said Spanos had extensive knowledge of the Cyprus problem, Turkey and the economy.

“He is someone I trust because he has a great deal of knowledge about Turkey, the Cyprus problem and the economy,” Panayiotou said.

The appointment prompted discussion over Spanos’ role following reports that he was not a party official. However, registered party members may represent political parties at the National Council, which has an advisory role and does not make decisions.

Party membership

Spanos is a registered Direct Democracy member through the party’s digital membership platform. The party’s constitution recognises all registered users as members.

He is an established business figure who married into the Lanitis family. He previously led Coca Cola’s Cyprus operations from 1981 and later served as chief executive of Coca Cola Turkey until 2008.