If Phidias Panayiotou decides to run for a seat in the 2026 Parliamentary Elections and wins, it could be very costly.
The Election Service says that if he resigns from the European Parliament, a nationwide by-election will be needed to fill his spot. This could cost the state up to six million euros. Menelaos Vasileiou, Head of the Election Service, mentioned on Alpha News that there is no backup candidate for Phidias Panayiotou since he ran as an independent in the 2024 European Elections. This means there can’t be an automatic replacement, and a new election is required.
The election will happen across the country, with parties allowed to put forward only one candidate for this role. This raises both organizational and financial costs significantly. Mr. Vasileiou noted that this is one of the highest costs ever expected for a by-election. He explained that more elected positions in recent years lead to greater needs for these processes. Similar costs come up when Presidents of District Local Government Organizations resign, requiring elections at the district level.
