**Fidias Panayiotou Skips National Council Meeting, Appoints Businessman for Cyprus Talks**
Fidias Panayiotou, the leader of the political party Direct Democracy, did not attend the National Council meeting scheduled for today, which precedes next week’s United Nations discussions on the Cyprus problem. Citing a lack of sufficient knowledge to provide adequate advice to President Nikos Christodoulides, Panayiotou appointed businessman Mike Spanos to represent his party during the meeting.
In a video announcement released Thursday night, Panayiotou explained his decision, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is set to visit Cyprus next week. “Because I have self-awareness, and like Socrates used to say, know thyself, I recognize that I don’t know enough about the Cyprus issue so as to advise the president,” he stated.
The choice of Spanos as a representative has sparked discussions regarding his qualifications and role, particularly since he is not a member of the party's leadership. However, the constitution of Direct Democracy allows any registered member to represent the party at the National Council, which serves an advisory function rather than making binding decisions.
Panayiotou expressed confidence in Spanos's capabilities, describing him as someone with extensive knowledge of the Cyprus problem, Turkey, and economic issues. “He is someone I trust because he has a great deal of knowledge about Turkey, the Cyprus problem and the economy,” Panayiotou added.
Mike Spanos is a prominent business figure in Cyprus, having married into the influential Lanitis family. He previously led Coca Cola’s operations in Cyprus from 1981 and served as the chief executive of Coca Cola Turkey until 2008. His experience extends to significant roles on the boards of the Central Bank of Cyprus and Bank of Cyprus in 2014. Additionally, he is the founder of the consultancy firm MS Business Power Ltd and the founding chairman of Green Dot Cyprus, an organization focused on waste management and recycling.
In 2017, Spanos was selected by the left-wing party Akel as its preferred candidate for the 2018 presidential election. However, the agreement fell apart within a week due to differences over economic policy and his stance on the Cyprus issue.
The National Council meeting held on Friday is particularly relevant as it precedes Guterres’ arrival on Monday for new discussions aimed at restarting negotiations concerning the long-standing Cyprus problem. The absence of Panayiotou and the appointment of Spanos have raised questions about the representation and preparation of Direct Democracy in these critical talks.