On July 23, 2026, Cypriot MEP and leader of the Direct Democracy party, Fidias Panayiotou, announced his decision not to personally attend the upcoming meeting of the National Council. The session, scheduled to be held at the Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of President Nikos Christodoulides, serves as a final consultation before the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Cyprus.

Panayiotou explained via social media that he lacks sufficient expertise regarding the complex Cyprus issue to effectively advise the President. Consequently, he has appointed businessman Mike Spanos to represent him at the meeting. Panayiotou emphasized that while Spanos is not a member of his party, he holds him in high regard, noting that Spanos possesses the necessary knowledge regarding both the Cyprus problem and economic affairs. This decision aligns with the party's efforts to integrate into the established political framework while acknowledging Panayiotou's own diplomatic shortcomings.

This meeting marks the second gathering of the National Council with its current composition following the recent legislative elections. The appointment of an external representative by a party leader has sparked interest, though reports confirm that Panayiotou retains the right to designate such a proxy for these consultations.