Kathimerini: Populism and Musk’s Influence Pave the Way for New Political Movement

The paper notes that former Auditor General Odisseas Mihailidis, some influencers, and individuals from the far-right are expected to join this new formation.

The article also pointed out that following Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s recent statement about weakening measures against misinformation (fact-checking) on Meta's social media platforms in the name of free speech, Musk has implemented a similar approach on the X platform. The newspaper further highlighted Musk's collaboration with former U.S. President Donald Trump and his efforts to steer political developments in the UK and Germany toward the far-right.

According to the report, Fidias Panayotu, often blamed for the rise of the far-right and seen as a representative of its tendencies in Brussels, is at the center of these political shifts. This narrative was also reflected in the Politico report published on Friday, where Panayotu was referred to as "Musk’s man in the European Parliament."

The article underlined Panayotu's controversial comments against the European Union’s support for Ukraine and his expressions linking misinformation efforts with censorship. Additionally, it was noted that Panayotu’s actions, such as calls for greater transparency regarding allowances for MEPs, have drawn attention from international media and EU officials, further intensifying criticism.