A political firestorm erupted after independent Greek-Cypriot Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Fidias Panayiotou conducted an interview with Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, who heads the administration in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.
The podcast, posted on Panayiotou’s English-language YouTube channel under the title “Ersin Tatar: Leader of a State No One Recognizes,” drew immediate backlash across the political spectrum in Cyprus and beyond. Many critics accused Panayiotou of legitimizing the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognize by Turkey and is considered by the international community to be illegally occupied territory.
The backlash was intensified because Panayiotou is an elected representative from the Republic of Cyprus, which has long maintained a firm stance against the recognition of Northern Cyprus. His decision to platform Tatar was seen by many as politically naive or dangerously provocative.
Fidias Panayiotou, a former YouTuber turned politician, is no stranger to the spotlight. His rise to fame included viral stunts and a massive social media following, which played a key role in his surprise election to the European Parliament in 2024. Notably, Panayiotou once made headlines for his public quest to meet Elon Musk—a campaign that culminated in an in-person meeting in 2023.
The encounter not only boosted Panayiotou’s visibility but also reinforced his image as a digital-era personality unbound by traditional political playbooks. His friendship with Musk has since remained a subject of interest in tech and political circles, symbolizing his unconventional approach to both media and politics.
Tatar’s response
In response to the backlash, Turkish-Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar urged Panayiotou “not to give in to threats” and to proceed with publishing the interview. Tatar described the criticism as “revealing of the Greek-Cypriot mentality, which can’t even tolerate hearing the other side’s voice.”
Regarding the interview, he said he was asked about his position on a two-state solution, while “Mr. Panayiotou freely expressed his own views.” Tatar concluded by expressing surprise that “the MEP is being called a traitor for this action.”
Panayiotou’s defense
MEP Fidias Panayiotou explained his decision to interview Ersin Tatar and responded to the criticism from the government and political parties.
“The main reason I made this decision was to understand—together—who this person is that the Turkish-Cypriots consider their leader, the same person whom we Greek-Cypriots and the international community acknowledge as their representative in the Cyprus negotiations,” he stated.
In a video posted on social media, he emphasized his belief in freedom of speech, stating:
“I publicly declare that I do not recognize him as president, nor do I recognize the building where the podcast was recorded as anyone’s presidential palace. And because I don’t recognize it as such, I have no problem entering it to do my job. I mean, does everyone who visits the occupied areas recognize them as a state?”
The entire Cypriot political world harshly condemned the interview between MEP Fidias Panayiotou and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.
Letymbiotis: “Panayiotou’s action violates UN resolutions”
“It is regrettable that an MEP elected by the Cypriot people is engaging in actions that the occupation regime exploits to promote its unacceptable narrative,” said Government Spokesperson Letymbiotis. He added that the Turkish-Cypriot administration was trying to weaponize the event and that Panayiotou’s actions violated United Nations resolutions, serving as a propaganda tool for the other side.
“We must all act—regardless of political stance—based on the understanding that the Cyprus issue is a national matter,” he stressed. He also noted that, had Panayiotou been an MEP from another country, the Republic of Cyprus would have issued a strong protest.
The Democratic Party (DIKO), through its spokesperson Theodoros Manitaras, condemned the visit to the so-called “presidential palace,” saying the Cypriot MEP has “become a pawn and tool of Turkish diplomacy and Turkish media.”
EDEK: “Panayiotou is deliberately disgracing the country that elected him”
According to the Movement for Social Democracy (EDEK), Panayiotou “has crossed the line.” They stated that his journey from “learning the half-truths of history” has led to actively serving Turkish propaganda—specifically, Turkey’s efforts to gain recognition for the occupied north as a separate state.
They rejected Panayiotou’s claims of ignorance and argued that he “consciously disgraces the country that elected him, as well as the compatriots who lost everything during the Turkish invasion and those who still suffer today.”
“While he may pose as a journalist, he is a Member of the European Parliament representing the Republic of Cyprus. If he hasn’t understood this yet, he should resign and allow someone who does to take over,” the statement concluded.
DEPA: “The MEP’s actions are condemnable”
The Democratic Alignment Party (DEPA) described Panayiotou’s interview at the so-called “presidential palace” as effectively legitimizing the unrecognized regime in the north.
His actions are a “serious political and institutional misstep,” they said. The party called on him to reconsider his approach to matters that affect the country—first and foremost, the national issue. “He must understand the gravity of his position and the repercussions of his actions—both public and private. A neutral or communications-driven approach to such serious matters cannot and should not be tolerated,” the statement read.
ELAM: “The MEP’s visit is a disgrace and provocation”
The far-right National Popular Front (ELAM) strongly condemned the MEP’s visit to the “pseudo-presidency” in the occupied areas, where he met with “Ankara’s appointee,” Ersin Tatar.
“With this move, the MEP openly acts as a collaborator of Turkish propaganda,” it was said. “He provides political cover to the pseudo-state and disrespects the memory of our heroes and missing persons.”
“Anyone who engages with the occupier becomes complicit in their crimes,” an ELAM party spokesperson warned. “There is no room in this country for willing servants of the occupation—for the useful idiots who undermine our national sovereignty and the legitimacy of our struggle.”
“We will not allow the degradation of national dignity nor the normalization of the occupation—not by Mr. Panayiotou, nor by any other organized group that tries to convince us that political parties exist in the occupied territories,” the announcement concluded.
Cyprus: A divided island
Cyprus remains one of the most strategically significant islands in the Eastern Mediterranean. The ongoing division of the island into the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish-occupied northern area continues to be a focal point of regional instability and diplomatic efforts.
While the United Nations maintains peacekeeping operations along the Green Line, the demilitarized border between the north and south, Cyprus’s unresolved status leaves it vulnerable to external influence, particularly from Turkey, which continues to station military forces in the occupied north, and other regional powers with vested interests in the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean.