MEP Fidias Panayiotou proposes electricity price cuts and threatens hunger strike

MEP and leader of the Direct Democracy movement, Fidias Panayiotou, presented a proposal to reduce electricity prices by approximately 20% during a television interview on September 7, 2026. The plan focuses on maintaining the current VAT rate on electricity at 5% instead of reverting to 19%, which Panayiotou estimates would lower bills by roughly 12%. He also advocates for eliminating what he terms a "double tax" on carbon emission rights, claiming this would provide further relief. Panayiotou argues that the government benefits financially from higher electricity costs through increased VAT revenue.

Addressing President Nikos Christodoulides, the MEP warned that if the government decides to raise the VAT rate back to 19%, he will initiate a hunger strike outside the Presidential Palace until the lower rate is reinstated. This move is part of an ongoing "challenge" he has directed at the President for the past 20 days. Despite criticism from government officials and technical experts who have publicly stated that his proposal is not implementable, Panayiotou insists he will continue to apply daily pressure on the administration regarding energy costs. He concluded his remarks by suggesting that the President's failure to address these demands could impact his future re-election prospects.