Giorgos Stathakis

Giorgos Stathakis
MP
Γιώργος Σταθάκης
Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism
Assumed office
23 September 2015
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Preceded by Nikos Christodoulakis
In office
27 January 2015 – 28 August 2015
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Preceded by Konstantinos Skrekas
Succeeded by Nikos Christodoulakis
Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Chania
Assumed office
6 May 2012
Personal details
Born (1953-11-08) 8 November 1953
Chania, Greece
Political party Syriza
Spouse(s) Themis Geckou
Children Two children
Alma mater University of Athens
Newcastle University

Giorgos Stathakis (Greek: Γιώργος Σταθάκης; born 8 November 1953) is a Greek politician and economist. From 27 January to 28 August 2015, he served as the Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism in the cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.[1] He has also been a Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Chania since May 2012.[2]

Stathakis is a professor of political economy at the University of Crete, but has been on leave since being elected as an MP.[1][3] He was formerly a Vice-Rector of the university.[4]

Early life and education

Stathakis graduated from the University of Athens in 1976 with degree in economics. He continued his studies, graduating in 1978 with a Master's degree in economics, and in 1983 with a Doctorate in economics, both from Newcastle University. His doctoral thesis was titled: "Industrial Development and the Regional Problem: The Case of Greece".[3]

Academic career

Stathakis worked at the Mediterranean Studies Foundation from 1985 to 1986 and at the Computer Technology Institute in Patras from 1986 to 1987. From 1987 to 1988 he worked as a visiting researcher at the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Queens College, City University of New York, and as a visiting scholar from 1992 to 1993 at the Center for European Studies, Harvard University.[5]

In 1988 he joined the staff at the University of Crete as a lecturer. He became an associate professor in 1992 and in 1997 became a full professor of political economy.[6] His teaching focuses on Marxist analysis and economic methodology.[7] Stathakis has also been one of three Vice-Rectors of the University of Crete, but stepped down following the May 2012 legislative election.[4][8]

Political career

Stathakis was first elected as a Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Chania in the May 2012 Greek legislative election. He was re-elected in the June 2012 legislative election and in the January 2015 legislative election.[2]

Stathakis is reportedly seen as "more market-friendly" than most of his colleagues in Syriza.[9] Alexis Tsipras has reportedly said that Stathakis is "so valuable that if he didn't exist he would have to be invented".[7]

Before Syriza came to power following the 2015 legislative election, Stathakis served as the shadow development minister in the Shadow Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.[9] In an interview with the Financial Times before the 2015 legislative election, Stathakis set out Syriza's plan to crack down on Greek oligarchs if it won the election.[9]

Following the 2015 legislative election, Stathakis was appointed as the Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism in the cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.[1]

Stathakis was named as a potential replacement for Yanis Varoufakis after he resigned as Minister for Finance on 6 July 2015, following the resounding 'No' vote in the Greek bailout referendum.[10] He was later appointed as the economy minister. During his tenure it was revealed that he failed to report thirty-eight properties and €1.8m in his assets declaration of 2011. A parliamentary committee is investigating the revelations.[11]

Personal life

Stathakis is married to Themis Geckou and has two children.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Smith, Helena; Ian Traynor (27 January 2015). "Greek PM Alexis Tsipras unveils cabinet of mavericks and visionaries". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Georgios Stathakis Terms of Office". Hellenic Parliament. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 Proctor, Kate (6 July 2015). "Giorgos Stathakis the radical Greek economics minister is a Newcastle University graduate". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Georgios Stathakis". Naftemporiki Conferences. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "George Stathakis". The Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Giorgos Stathakis CV" (PDF). University of Crete. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  7. 1 2 Tsiliopoulos, Euthimis (29 January 2014). "Giorgos Stathakis: SYRIZA's soft power". The TOC. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Παραιτήθηκε από αντιπρύτανης ο Γιώργος Σταθάκης. Νέα Κρήτη (in Greek). 11 May 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Hope, Kerin (6 January 2015). "Syriza to crack down on Greece's oligarchs if it wins election". Financial Times. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Brinded, Lianna (6 July 2015). "One of these four people will replace Yanis Varoufakis". Business Insider UK. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "A year after Alexis Tsipras's sweeping victory, economic woes and scandals threaten to bring him down". The Economist. 29 Jan 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
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