Nikos Filis

Nikos Filis Νίκος Φίλης MP
Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs
In office 23 September 2015 – 5 November 2016
Prime Minister	Alexis Tsipras
Preceded by	Frosso Kiaou
Succeeded by	Kostas Gabroglou
Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Athens A
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 January 2015
Personal details
Born	1960 (age 55–56) Athens, Greece
Political party	Syriza
Alma mater	University of Athens

Nikos Filis (Greek: Νίκος Φίλης) is a Greek politician and journalist who is currently serving as the Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs.

Early life and education

Filis was born in Athens in 1960. He studied law the University of Athens and was heavily involved in protests at the time. He was a member of both the Central Committee and Senate of the national students union, EFEE, and was secretary of the youth of the Communist Party of Greece (Interior).^[1]

Journalism

Since 2008, Filis has been the director of the Greek newspaper Dawn. He has been a member of the board of the Greek journalists union, ESIEA. He has worked as an editor at various radio stations, including FLASH, Polis, VimaFm and EPA 4. He has written a number of articles on politics for newspapers Ta Nea, Epochi and the magazines Anti and Politis'. He also contributed to the Encyclopedia of the Greek Press.

Political career

Filis is a member of the Central Committee of Syriza.^[1] In March 2015, Filis was one of only five Syriza MPs to turn down the offer of a state car.^[2] In an interview with Mega TV in May 2015, Filis said that: "A state must be ready for every eventuality. A Greek default is a concern of the whole of Europe. There is a systemic risk there. The chosen strategy is to negotiate an agreement but we are ready for every possible outcome."^[3]

Genocide denial

Filis denied the Pontic Greek Genocide, an illegal act in Greece.^[4] Many calls were made for him to step down and have his parliamentary immunity stripped so he can be prosecuted. Filis has yet to face prosecution for his Genocide denial. He has also removed the Pontic Genocide from the high school curriculum.^[5]

References

1. "Το βιογραφικό του νέου υπουργού Παιδείας Νίκου Φίλη" at naftemporiki.gr
2. Skordas, Aggelos (10 March 2015). "Only Five SYRIZA MPs Refuse State Cars Despite Tsipras' Plea". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
3. Chrysopoulos, Philip (29 May 2015). "SYRIZA MP: Greece Is Prepared for All Possible Scenarios". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
4. http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/11/03/greek-education-minister-rejects-pontic-genocide-causes-uproar/
5. http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/11/04/pontic-community-calls-for-protest-in-athens-as-pontic-genocide-is-removed-from-high-school-curriculum/