Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Mitsotakis in 2025
Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Born	4 3, 1968
Birthplace	Athens, Greece
Nationality	Greek
Occupation	Politician
Title	Prime Minister of Greece
Known for	Prime Minister of Greece, President of New Democracy
Education	Stanford University (MA)
Spouse(s)	Mareva Grabowski
Children	3

Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Template:Lang-el; born 4 March 1968) is a Greek politician serving as the Prime Minister of Greece since June 2023, having previously held the office from July 2019 to May 2023. He has been president of the centre-right New Democracy party since January 2016. Born into one of Greece's most prominent political families — his father, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1993, and his sister, Dora Bakoyannis, served as Foreign Minister — Mitsotakis first entered the Hellenic Parliament in 2004 as a member for the Athens B constituency. He served as Minister of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance from 2013 to 2015 under Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, and was elected leader of New Democracy in January 2016 following the party's two consecutive election defeats in 2015. He led New Democracy to a parliamentary majority in the 2019 Greek legislative election, and again to victory in the June 2023 Greek parliamentary election after a period of caretaker government. His tenure as Prime Minister has been defined by economic reform, digital transformation of public administration, a pro-European foreign policy orientation, and controversies including a wiretapping scandal, the Tempi train crash, and criticism over press freedom and migration policy.

Early Life

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was born on 4 March 1968 in Athens, Greece. He is the son of Konstantinos Mitsotakis, who served as Prime Minister of Greece from 1990 to 1993, and Marika Giannoukou. His family has deep roots in Greek political life; his sister, Dora Bakoyannis, served as Mayor of Athens and as Foreign Minister, and his great-great-uncle was Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the most significant Greek statesmen of the early twentieth century.

Mitsotakis grew up in Athens and attended Athens College, one of the country's most prestigious secondary schools. Growing up in a household deeply engaged in Greek politics, he was exposed from an early age to the intricacies of governance and public affairs. His father's political career, which included serving as a member of parliament for decades and leading New Democracy, shaped the political environment of his upbringing.

Despite the prominence of his family in Greek politics, Mitsotakis pursued an extensive education abroad before entering public life. His early years were marked by the political turbulence of Greece during the 1970s and 1980s, a period that saw the country's transition from military dictatorship to parliamentary democracy and the rise of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) under Andreas Papandreou, a political rival of the Mitsotakis family.

Education

Mitsotakis received his secondary education at Athens College in Greece. He subsequently pursued higher education abroad, earning a Master of Arts degree from Stanford University in the United States. His academic background informed his later approach to governance, which has frequently been described as technocratic in orientation. The combination of a Greek secondary education and American postgraduate training placed Mitsotakis among a generation of Greek politicians with significant international academic credentials.

Career

Early Political Career and Entry to Parliament

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was first elected to the Hellenic Parliament on 7 March 2004, representing the Athens B constituency as a member of the New Democracy party. His entry into parliament came during a period of political change in Greece, as New Democracy under Kostas Karamanlis won the 2004 general election and returned to power after more than a decade in opposition.

During his early years in parliament, Mitsotakis established himself within the party's reformist wing, advocating for economic liberalization and modernization of the Greek state. He represented the Athens B constituency continuously from 2004 to 2019, before switching to Athens B2 from 2019 to 2023, and subsequently representing the Thessaloniki A constituency from 2023 onward.

Minister of Administrative Reform (2013–2015)

On 25 June 2013, Mitsotakis was appointed Minister of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance in the cabinet of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. He served in this role until 27 January 2015, succeeding Antonis Manitakis in the position and being succeeded by Nikos Voutsis following the January 2015 elections that brought Syriza to power under Alexis Tsipras.

As Minister of Administrative Reform, Mitsotakis undertook efforts to streamline the Greek public sector, which had long been criticized for its size and inefficiency. His tenure in this role provided him with direct experience in public administration reform, a theme that would become central to his later platform as party leader and prime minister.

Leader of New Democracy and Leader of the Opposition (2016–2019)

Following New Democracy's two consecutive election defeats in 2015 — in both the January and September legislative elections — the party faced an internal leadership crisis. The successive losses to Alexis Tsipras's Syriza prompted a re-evaluation of the party's direction. In January 2016, Mitsotakis was elected president of New Democracy, succeeding interim leader Giannis Plakiotakis.

As party leader, Mitsotakis also assumed the role of Leader of the Official Opposition in the Hellenic Parliament, serving opposite Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras from 10 January 2016 to 8 July 2019. During this period, he sought to reposition New Democracy as a party of economic reform and modernization, espousing economically liberal policies and a pro-European orientation. He worked to unify the various factions within the party and to present a credible alternative to the Tsipras government.

His period as opposition leader coincided with the later stages of the Greek debt crisis, and Mitsotakis was vocal in his criticism of Syriza's economic management while advocating for lower taxes, deregulation, and attracting foreign investment to Greece.

First Term as Prime Minister (2019–2023)

Mitsotakis led New Democracy to a decisive victory in the 2019 Greek legislative election, winning a parliamentary majority and ending over four years of Syriza governance. He was sworn in as Prime Minister on 8 July 2019, succeeding Alexis Tsipras, with Panayiotis Pikrammenos serving as his deputy.

Economic Policy and Digital Transformation

A central element of Mitsotakis's first term was economic reform and the digital transformation of Greece's public administration. His government pursued policies aimed at attracting investment, reducing bureaucracy, and modernizing state services through digitization.

A notable achievement cited during this period was Greece's early repayment of bailout loans. In December 2022, Greece repaid ahead of schedule 2.7 billion euros ($2.87 billion) of loans owed to Eurozone countries under the first bailout program it had received during the country's decade-long debt crisis. This repayment was part of a broader trajectory that saw Greece named the "Top Economic Performer" for 2022 by The Economist, reflecting improvements in the country's fiscal position and its approach toward regaining investment-grade credit rating.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Mitsotakis's first term was significantly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece. His government's handling of the pandemic received both praise and criticism. The early stages of Greece's response were noted in some international media coverage for their relative efficiency, including the vaccination campaign. The pandemic placed considerable strain on Greece's healthcare system and economy, requiring the government to implement lockdown measures, economic support packages, and a phased vaccination program.

Wiretapping Scandal

In August 2022, a wiretapping scandal emerged that became one of the most significant political crises of Mitsotakis's first term. The head of Greece's intelligence service (EYP) resigned amid allegations of surveillance of political figures and journalists. The scandal provoked considerable domestic and international scrutiny regarding the state of civil liberties and press freedom in Greece under the Mitsotakis government.

In January 2023, Mitsotakis survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote brought against his government in connection with the wiretapping affair. The issue continued to affect public discourse and contributed to broader concerns about democratic governance and press freedom in Greece during his tenure.

Tempi Train Crash

On 28 February 2023, a devastating train collision occurred at Tempi, resulting in significant loss of life and becoming one of Greece's deadliest rail disasters. The crash prompted nationwide grief and public anger, with demonstrations across the country demanding accountability. In March 2023, Mitsotakis publicly apologized for the disaster and pledged to reform the country's railway infrastructure. The crash underscored longstanding issues with Greece's rail safety and maintenance, and became a significant political issue in the lead-up to the 2023 elections.

Dissolution of Parliament and May 2023 Election

In April 2023, Mitsotakis requested the dissolution of parliament and the proclamation of elections. The May 2023 Greek parliamentary election did not produce a parliamentary majority for any single party, and no coalition government was formed by any of the parties eligible to attempt one. On 24 May 2023, as required by Greece's constitution, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou appointed Ioannis Sarmas as caretaker prime minister for the interim period.

Second Term as Prime Minister (2023–present)

In the June 2023 snap election, Mitsotakis led New Democracy to a decisive majority in parliament. He received the order to form a government from President Sakellaropoulou and was sworn in as prime minister, returning to the Maximos Mansion. Kostis Hatzidakis serves as his deputy in the second-term government.

Domestic Policy

During his second term, Mitsotakis's government has continued to focus on economic policy, including plans to raise the minimum wage. In February 2026, he announced plans for a new increase in the minimum wage, framing the measure as part of efforts to address the persistent problem of high prices. He also chaired meetings of the Government Council for Economic Policy, indicating a continued hands-on approach to economic governance.

A notable legislative development under his second term was the legalization of same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption in Greece, a move that generated significant public debate and controversy within the country.

Foreign Policy

Mitsotakis has maintained a pro-European and transatlantic foreign policy orientation. A significant element of his foreign policy during his second term has been Greece's support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion. In February 2026, marking four years since the start of the war, Mitsotakis reiterated Greece's "unwavering support" for Ukraine's independence and its pursuit of peace.

In February 2026, Mitsotakis met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting Greece's efforts to expand its diplomatic engagement beyond Europe.

The Greece–United States relationship has also been a key element of his second-term foreign policy, with the renewal of the U.S.–Greece defense agreement on the agenda amid shifting diplomatic dynamics under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Personal Life

Kyriakos Mitsotakis is married to Mareva Grabowski, and the couple has three children. His family is one of the most prominent political dynasties in modern Greek history. His father, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, served as Prime Minister of Greece from 1990 to 1993. His mother was Marika Giannoukou. His sister, Dora Bakoyannis, has had a prominent political career of her own, serving as Mayor of Athens and as Foreign Minister of Greece. The family's political lineage extends further back; Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the most influential Greek statesmen of the early twentieth century and a central figure in the country's modernization and territorial expansion, was Mitsotakis's great-great-uncle.

Recognition

Mitsotakis's tenure as Prime Minister has been recognized in the international press for aspects of economic management. Greece was named the "Top Economic Performer" for 2022 by The Economist, a distinction attributed in part to the country's early repayment of bailout loans and its progress toward investment-grade credit status. The Economist also described Greece as "Europe's unlikely model student" in a 2021 article examining the country's economic trajectory under his government.

At the same time, his government has faced criticism from international bodies. In 2024, the European Parliament passed a resolution addressing concerns over the state of the rule of law in Greece, reflecting ongoing scrutiny over issues including press freedom, the wiretapping scandal, and migration policy. The wiretapping affair in particular drew sustained attention from European institutions and press freedom organizations.

His government's handling of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign received positive coverage from German media outlets, among others, for its relative efficiency and organization.

Legacy

As a sitting head of government, Mitsotakis's legacy remains in formation. His premiership has been characterized by an emphasis on economic liberalization, digital governance, and a pro-European foreign policy stance. The early repayment of bailout loans, the pursuit of investment-grade credit status, and the digital overhaul of Greece's public administration are among the policy areas most frequently cited in assessments of his tenure.

However, his time in office has also been marked by significant controversies. The 2022 wiretapping scandal raised questions about surveillance practices and civil liberties under his government. The Tempi train crash of 2023, one of Greece's deadliest rail disasters, exposed longstanding infrastructure deficiencies and prompted widespread public anger. Concerns about press freedom, migration policy — including allegations of pushbacks that his government has denied — and the European Parliament's 2024 resolution on rule of law in Greece have added to the contested nature of his political legacy.

As the scion of one of Greece's most prominent political families, Mitsotakis's career is also inevitably viewed through the lens of political dynasty. His position as prime minister places him alongside his father in the small number of Greek political families that have produced multiple holders of the country's highest office.