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AKEL: Statements by Fidias Panagiotou on People with Disabilities are Unacceptable and Offensive

Published January 25, 2026, 13:07
AKEL: Statements by Fidias Panagiotou on People with Disabilities are Unacceptable and Offensive

AKEL strongly condemned the statements made by MEP Fidias Panagiotou regarding people with disabilities, describing them as unacceptable, offensive, and demeaning. The party's announcement stated that these statements are not consistent with Mr. Panagiotou's institutional role and that he should have already apologized. The Cypriot Paralympic Committee had already condemned the statements, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue. AKEL stresses that this is not a misunderstanding or an isolated mistake, but an attitude that cannot be tolerated. The statements concerned children and people with intellectual disabilities and provoked a strong reaction. AKEL emphasizes that public discourse that offends people with disabilities cannot be left unanswered.