idias Panayiotou is not your typical 24–year–old. From evading train fares in Bengaluru to dodging costs at a five–star hotel in Japan, spending a week inside a coffin, and even managing to hug Elon Musk, he has amassed an impressive 2.6 million followers across YouTube and TikTok. Who would have thought that this self–proclaimed “professional mistake–maker”—running as an independent candidate who used social media as his only campaign tool—would secure 19.36% of the vote as Cyprus's representative in the European Parliament?
Despite admitting to never having voted and knowing nothing about politics or the European Union, Fidias managed to secure a seat, becoming one of six Cypriot Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) this term. According to exit poll data, he garnered 40% of the votes from the 18–24 age group and 28% from those aged 25–34. At first glance, the idea of an influencer with no political background shaping EU policies might seem alarming. Critics argue, not without merit, that this could lead to sensationalist and ill–informed decision–making and further erode the foundations of our democratic institutions. However, if you scroll through your TikTok feed and encounter Fidias' engaging content on EU politics, you might be struck by a realization: perhaps this is exactly the shake–up our ossified political systems need.
Many young people are increasingly drawn to Fidias' TikTok content, where his ubiquitous presence on their For You pages—from videos like "A Day in My Life as an MEP" to polls on crucial EU issues such as Ursula von der Leyen's re–election as European Commission president—is succeeding in his plan of "making politics cool," turning political engagement into accessible entertainment for a broad audience. In addition to sharing details about his daily life as an MEP, he is transparent about his earnings and decision–making processes—a stark contrast to the opacity often associated with traditional politicians. Watching his TikToks feels like joining a friend on a 15–second exclusive tour of the European Parliament, revealing parts of the institution typically hidden from public view. This level of transparency is invigorating political engagement among young people who have long felt disconnected from conventional political structures.
However, the medium through which this transparency is conveyed—TikTok—comes with its own set of challenges. The platform's emphasis on brevity and sensationalism can risk oversimplifying complex political issues, reducing them to bite–sized content that lacks the necessary nuance. Therefore, while Fidias' methods are innovative, they must be accompanied by efforts to deepen public understanding and encourage critical thinking. His content should be seen as an entry point, but not as a substitute for comprehensive political education.
Recently, over 200,000 participants voted in Fidias' social media poll regarding the re–election of Ursula von der Leyen—a decision typically reserved for MEPs. Fidias pledged to vote in the European Parliament according to the results of this poll, effectively giving his followers the ability to influence a crucial EU decision. He enabled direct public participation, reminiscent of the ancient Athenian democratic model in which citizens had direct power over public policy. While traditional forms of participatory democracy have proven challenging to implement in large modern states, digital platforms offer a contemporary twist on this age–old concept, creating new avenues for public engagement and decision–making.
However, the ease and immediacy of social media polls could lead to oversimplification of policy issues, potentially fostering populist tendencies. Populism thrives on the direct connection between leaders and their followers, often facilitated by social media platforms that allow populists to bypass traditional media gatekeepers. This direct communication often relies on emotional and simplistic messages that resonate widely, which is problematic when complex decisions are reduced to binary choices. Moreover, unlike official voting systems, social media platforms lack safeguards against multiple voting or voter authentication. To address these concerns, Fidias could consider implementing a dedicated platform with identity verification and one–vote–per–user mechanisms. Such a platform could serve as a fascinating social experiment, not necessarily to implement direct democracy wholesale, but to explore the potential of digital civic engagement in modern governance.
Fidias' experiment in TikTok–ocracy, while imperfect, represents a bold step towards a democracy that engages the youngest generations. His use of social media is sparking important conversations about how traditional political institutions can adopt digital tools to remain relevant—without compromising the depth and integrity of democratic decision–making.
Watching him glide through the corridors of power with a selfie stick in hand, it's clear that in a world where political apathy is rampant, a touch of entertainment might just be the antidote we need. But whether Fidias will be drafting policy or simply choreographing the next TikTok dance remains to be seen. As he navigates the fine line between politics and performance, one thing is painfully obvious: The future of democracy might just be one swipe away. And while we may cheer for this fresh approach, we must also ponder—are we ready for a democracy that fits in our pockets?
a global affairs media network
TikTok–ocracy: When politics goes viral
Photo by Steve Gale from Unsplash.
November 5, 2024
Fidias Panayiotou, a 24 year old, recently secured a seat as a Member of the European Parliament (MEPs). Fidias is turning political engagement into accessible entertainment for a broad audience by taking to TikTok to discuss all things democracy, writes Klara Grochowska.
F
idias Panayiotou is not your typical 24–year–old. From evading train fares in Bengaluru to dodging costs at a five–star hotel in Japan, spending a week inside a coffin, and even managing to hug Elon Musk, he has amassed an impressive 2.6 million followers across YouTube and TikTok. Who would have thought that this self–proclaimed “professional mistake–maker”—running as an independent candidate who used social media as his only campaign tool—would secure 19.36% of the vote as Cyprus's representative in the European Parliament?
Despite admitting to never having voted and knowing nothing about politics or the European Union, Fidias managed to secure a seat, becoming one of six Cypriot Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) this term. According to exit poll data, he garnered 40% of the votes from the 18–24 age group and 28% from those aged 25–34. At first glance, the idea of an influencer with no political background shaping EU policies might seem alarming. Critics argue, not without merit, that this could lead to sensationalist and ill–informed decision–making and further erode the foundations of our democratic institutions. However, if you scroll through your TikTok feed and encounter Fidias' engaging content on EU politics, you might be struck by a realization: perhaps this is exactly the shake–up our ossified political systems need.
Many young people are increasingly drawn to Fidias' TikTok content, where his ubiquitous presence on their For You pages—from videos like "A Day in My Life as an MEP" to polls on crucial EU issues such as Ursula von der Leyen's re–election as European Commission president—is succeeding in his plan of "making politics cool," turning political engagement into accessible entertainment for a broad audience. In addition to sharing details about his daily life as an MEP, he is transparent about his earnings and decision–making processes—a stark contrast to the opacity often associated with traditional politicians. Watching his TikToks feels like joining a friend on a 15–second exclusive tour of the European Parliament, revealing parts of the institution typically hidden from public view. This level of transparency is invigorating political engagement among young people who have long felt disconnected from conventional political structures.
However, the medium through which this transparency is conveyed—TikTok—comes with its own set of challenges. The platform's emphasis on brevity and sensationalism can risk oversimplifying complex political issues, reducing them to bite–sized content that lacks the necessary nuance. Therefore, while Fidias' methods are innovative, they must be accompanied by efforts to deepen public understanding and encourage critical thinking. His content should be seen as an entry point, but not as a substitute for comprehensive political education.
Recently, over 200,000 participants voted in Fidias' social media poll regarding the re–election of Ursula von der Leyen—a decision typically reserved for MEPs. Fidias pledged to vote in the European Parliament according to the results of this poll, effectively giving his followers the ability to influence a crucial EU decision. He enabled direct public participation, reminiscent of the ancient Athenian democratic model in which citizens had direct power over public policy. While traditional forms of participatory democracy have proven challenging to implement in large modern states, digital platforms offer a contemporary twist on this age–old concept, creating new avenues for public engagement and decision–making.
However, the ease and immediacy of social media polls could lead to oversimplification of policy issues, potentially fostering populist tendencies. Populism thrives on the direct connection between leaders and their followers, often facilitated by social media platforms that allow populists to bypass traditional media gatekeepers. This direct communication often relies on emotional and simplistic messages that resonate widely, which is problematic when complex decisions are reduced to binary choices. Moreover, unlike official voting systems, social media platforms lack safeguards against multiple voting or voter authentication. To address these concerns, Fidias could consider implementing a dedicated platform with identity verification and one–vote–per–user mechanisms. Such a platform could serve as a fascinating social experiment, not necessarily to implement direct democracy wholesale, but to explore the potential of digital civic engagement in modern governance.
Fidias' experiment in TikTok–ocracy, while imperfect, represents a bold step towards a democracy that engages the youngest generations. His use of social media is sparking important conversations about how traditional political institutions can adopt digital tools to remain relevant—without compromising the depth and integrity of democratic decision–making.
Watching him glide through the corridors of power with a selfie stick in hand, it's clear that in a world where political apathy is rampant, a touch of entertainment might just be the antidote we need. But whether Fidias will be drafting policy or simply choreographing the next TikTok dance remains to be seen. As he navigates the fine line between politics and performance, one thing is painfully obvious: The future of democracy might just be one swipe away. And while we may cheer for this fresh approach, we must also ponder—are we ready for a democracy that fits in our pockets?
