Illustration by Daniela Nunes

Meet the young woman shaking up European politics: Christiana Xenofontos

 by Lorena Barić 

When you think of European politics, do you picture seasoned politicians in grey suits? Well, think again! In the recent European Parliament elections, a young woman from Cyprus took centre stage, challenging the status quo and bringing fresh energy to the political scene. Christiana Xenofontos ran a dynamic campaign with one goal in mind: to give young people a voice.

Here’s a look at her journey.

Who is Christiana Xenofontos?

Christiana Xenofontos is a force to be reckoned with. Born in 1992 in Cyprus, she’s been on a mission to make sure young people have a say in how their futures are shaped. With a degree in political science and years of experience advocating for youth rights, Christiana isn’t new to the political scene. She’s held leadership roles with the Cyprus Youth Council and the European Youth Forum, and she’s passionate about creating spaces where young people can get involved in decision making.

Christiana recently made her first run for the European Parliament elections, representing the Democratic Rally (DISY). Even though she’s worn many hats – youth advocate, parliamentary research assistant, poet and podcast host – her mission remains clear: making sure the voices of young people are heard, loud and clear.

Why run for the European Parliament?

So, what pushed Christiana to throw her hat in the ring for the European Parliament? Simple: she saw that young people were missing at the decision-making table. While young people make up a huge chunk of Europe’s population, they’re massively under-represented in politics. Christiana’s goal was to change that, to make sure young people’s concerns – things like climate change, mental health, and social justice – are part of the conversation.

For Christiana, it wasn’t just about being young in politics; it was about putting issues that matter to young people front and centre. She’s been working on these topics for years and believed she could bring genuine, impactful change to the European Parliament.

Going beyond social media

Social media was a key tool in Christiana’s campaign – she’s active on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, platforms that are popular with young voters. But for her, the heart of the campaign wasn’t just online; it was out in the community. She travelled all over Cyprus to meet people face-to-face, listen to their concerns, and talk about her vision for the future.

“Meeting people in person, hearing their stories – it’s something I’ll carry with me forever,” she says. And that connection with her fellow Cypriots made a huge difference in how she ran her campaign.

Young people and politics: where do we stand?

When it comes to young people and politics in Cyprus, Christiana doesn’t sugarcoat things. She acknowledges that scandals in recent years have shaken people’s trust in institutions, especially among the younger generation. But she believes that’s exactly why it’s important to create more opportunities for young people to get involved – not just by voting, but by participating in protests, advocacy and in NGOs.

“We need to feel inspired by political figures who serve with values and transparency,” she says. And she’s determined to help rebuild that trust through openness, innovation, and, yes, by pushing for things like e-voting to make participation easier and more accessible.

The role of youth workers and NGOs

Christiana’s own journey has been shaped by the support of youth organisations and youth workers, both in Cyprus and across Europe. These networks have provided her with the knowledge, encouragement, and resources she needed to take her first steps into politics. She’s quick to point out that youth workers and NGOs have a huge role to play in empowering young people and creating spaces where they can actively participate in shaping their futures.

Engaging young voters

Christiana made it her mission to meet young people where they’re at – whether that was on social media or in real life. She visited university campuses, cafes and places where young people hang out, making sure her campaign was accessible and relatable. And it worked! A significant number of her votes came from young people, giving her hope that youth engagement in politics can continue to grow.

Keeping the momentum going after the elections

The elections may be over, but Christiana isn’t done yet. She believes that the politicians who won, especially those who had strong support from young voters, have a responsibility to keep the conversation going. One idea she’s passionate about is the EU Youth Test, a proposal that would ensure policies are checked to see how they impact young people before they’re put into action.

Beyond that, Christiana sees potential in lowering the voting age to 16, as some countries have already done, and using digital tools like online consultations and e-voting to keep young people engaged between election cycles.

Lessons for aspiring young politicians

Christiana’s advice to young people thinking about stepping into politics? “Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams,” she says. “No matter how big they seem, keep pushing for them.” Even if the road gets tough, she believes every setback is just a new opportunity to find a different way forward.

A vision for youth participation across Europe

When it comes to the future of youth participation, Christiana has a clear vision: start with better civic education. She believes young people need to understand how governments work and how they can make an impact, and that education should start early. She’s also a big believer in using technology to foster greater participation. From e-voting to online forums, she sees digital platforms as a way to make politics more inclusive and accessible to young people across Europe.

And, of course, she’s calling for more young people to take the plunge and run for political office. “We need more young politicians in the spotlight, advocating for the issues that matter to us,” she says.

Conclusion

Christiana Xenofontos shows us that politics isn’t just for the older generation. Young people are stepping up, and they’re not waiting for permission to do so. Her campaign reflects the growing demand for youth representation and action. By sharing her story, we hope to inspire more young people to get involved – because the future isn’t something we’re just waiting for; it’s something we’re building, right here and now.