Ioannis Mouzalas

Ioannis Mouzalas
Ιωάννης Μουζάλας
Alternate Minister of Immigration Policy
Incumbent
Assumed office 28 August 2015
Prime Minister	Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou Alexis Tsipras
Preceded by	Tasia Christodoulopoulou
Personal details
Alma mater	University of Athens

Ioannis Mouzalas (Greek: Ιωάννης Μουζάλας) is a Greek obstetrician-gynecologist, surgeon and one of the founding members of the Greek chapter of Doctors of the World.

In August 2015, he was appointed Alternate Minister of Immigration Policy in the Caretaker Cabinet of Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou, and was later confirmed in office by reelected prime minister Alexis Tsipras.

Early life and education

Mouzalas graduated from the Athens Medical School, University of Athens, before continuing his studies in Milan and London.^[1]

Medical career

Mouzalas has worked in Tzaneio Hospital, Agios Savvas Hospital and Elena Hospital. In London, he worked with Michel Odent. In 1999, he made the first childbirth in Greece in water.^[1] Mouzalas is one of the founding members of Doctors of the World and has participated in more than 25 missions in Asia and Africa.^[1]

Political career

Mouzalas was appointed as the Alternate Minister of Immigration Policy in the Caretaker Cabinet of Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou. On 4 September, he announced four measures to help combat the European migrant crisis: creation of a coordination centre to manage the refugee flow, improved and increased logistical and staff support to existing facilities, taking immediate advantage of European solidarity program and community funds and providing necessary funds and resources to help local economies on the islands affected.^[2]

On 15 March 2016, in an interview with Skai TV, Mouzalas referred to the Republic of Macedonia simply as "Macedonia", sparking a demand for his resignation from coalition partner Panos Kammenos due to the Macedonia naming dispute. Mouzalas apologised for "slip-up", but on 16 March Kammenos reiterated his demand for Mouzalas' resignation. Following a lunchtime meeting with Alexis Tsipras, Kammenos declared that the "Independent Greeks support the government but not the migration minister." Nevertheless, the government defended Mouzalas, saying in a statement that it was "irresponsible and hypocritical" to undermine him during the European migrant crisis.^[3][4]

References

1. Κυριακίδου, Ελένη (28 August 2015). "Υπουργός για το μεταναστευτικό ένας μαιευτήρας! Ποιος είναι ο ακτιβιστής γιατρός Ιωάννης Μουζάλας". Iefimerida (in Greek). Retrieved 22 September 2015.
2. "The 4 measures for the refugees - Alt. Minister of Migration Policy Mr. Ioannis Mouzalas". Permanent Mission of Greece in Geneva. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
3. "PM delays decision on Mouzalas's future". Kathimerini. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
4. Hope, Kerin (16 March 2016). "Greece's migration minister trips up over Macedonia name". Financial Times. Retrieved 16 March 2016.