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Leader of Direct Democracy Responds to Diko President Over Candidate Withdrawal

Published March 19, 2026, 20:18
Leader of Direct Democracy Responds to Diko President Over Candidate Withdrawal

Phidias Panayiotou, leader of the Direct Democracy party, responded to Diko President Nikola Papadopoulos regarding the withdrawal of Valeri Tarapai as a parliamentary candidate for his party. Panayiotou accused Papadopoulos of his attacks against Tarapai leading to her resignation. He also expressed ignorance of Tarapai's past, specifically her conviction in a drug case in the occupied territories. Panayiotou emphasized that Direct Democracy gives all citizens the opportunity to run for office, but will check their qualifications. The case arose after Nikola Papadopoulos reported on three Direct Democracy candidates with controversial pasts.