Plaka: Today: Women in Politics

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Women in Greek Politics

Greece has had until recently a rather patriarchal social structure. This was particularly true in the villages. Greek women are anything but demure and quiet: to talk in stereotypes they are often fiery, passionate, assertive. I don't know if one situation created the other. In any case, until recently, women were not much evident in politics. This page provides info and links to a number of Greek women politicians. Please send me information on others.

Government Ministers (New Democracy party)

Votes for women

Dora Bakoyianni, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Former mayor of Athens during the 2004 Olympics. Former shadow secretary for Foreign Affairs and Defense. Daughter of former conservative prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis. Her first husband was murdered by the November 17th terrorist group in 1989. If Ms. Papandreou isn't the first woman prime minister, I'd bet on Bakoyianni. Her web site (Up 5/10/08; posted 1/8/02)
Marietta Yiannakou-Koutsikou, Minster of Education and Religious Affairs. A physician, she has represented continuously Athens since 1993. Was Minster of Health in 1990-91.
Fani Palli-Petralia, From December 2007, Minister for Employment and Social Protection. Former Minister of Tourism. Alternative Minister of Culture, 2004-06. President of European Women's Union in 1999. Attorney. Led the failed bid to obtain the 1996 Olympic games.
Anna Psarouda-Benaki, President of Parliament. Attorney.

Government Ministers in the former PASOK Government

Vassiliki (Vaso) Papandreou, Minister of the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works. Former minister for the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization (1999-2001), Minister for Development (1996-99), MP for PASOK Born 1944, she holds a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Reading in the U. K. She was a founding member of PASOK in 1974, served as president of the Hellenic Organization for the Small and Medium Size Enterprises in the early 80's. She was first elected to parliament in 1985. If she becomes the first woman prime minister of Greece, don't say I didn't warn you. Her web site More info here.
Rodula Zisi, Deputy Minister Environment, Town Planning and Public Works. Born 1953, involved in student resistance movement against 1967-74 junta. Held offices in her native Volos, first became MP for PASOK in 1993.
Elpida Tsouri, MP. Former Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare. Born 1961 on Hios, where she served in local offices before being elected as MP for the first time in 2000. Her website. (Up 5/10/08)
Eleni Kourkoula, Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs. Journalist and Actress. First elected MP for PASOK in 2000.
Elisavet Papazoe, Alternative Minister of Foreign Affairs (from 2000). Former Minister for Culture (1999-2000), Minister of the Aegean (1997-99), Deputy Minister of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works (1993-96). A civil engineer born in 1944 she has been ambassador to Cuba, first elected MP in 1989, and a member of the PASOK's central committee since 1994. More info here and here.
Milena Apostolaki, Vice-Minister for Development.

Other Politicians

	Alexandra (Aleka) Papariga is secretary general of the KKE, the Communist Party of Greece. As a member of parliament, she is one of the representatives for Athens. Don't have a web site for her but there is one for the KKE. More info here.
	Maria Boskou is a KKE MP for Immathia, Central Macedonia.
	I do not have information on this woman, other than that she is a politician. Maria Damanakh

	A Hellenic Women's Political Party exists, I don't know much about it.

EU Politicians

Aikaterini Batzeli , MEU for PASOK.
Anna Diamantopoulou, As an EMP, was Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs (from 1999 to 2004). Left her position due to being elected to Greek parliment. Former Deputy Minister for Development (1996-99). A Civil Engineer from Macedonia. Has been a member of the PASOK central committee since 1990. First elected MP from Kozani in 1996. Born 1959. Her EU website here.