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Alexis Tsipras MP

Prime Minister of Greece

Incumbent

Assumed office26 January 2015

PresidentKarolos PapouliasProkopis Pavlopoulos

DeputyYannis Dragasakis

Preceded byAntonis Samaras

Leader of the Opposition

In office20 June 2012 26 January 2015

Prime MinisterAntonis Samaras

Preceded byAntonis Samaras

Succeeded byAntonis Samaras

Leader ofSyriza

Incumbent

Assumed office4 October 2009

Preceded byAlekos Alavanos

Member of theHellenic ParliamentfromAthens A

Incumbent

Assumed office4 October 2009

Personal details

BornJuly 28, 1974 (age 40)Athens,Greece

NationalityGreek

Political partySyriza

Domestic partnerPeristera Batziana

Children2

Alma materNational Technical University

ReligionNone

Alexis Tsipras(Greek: [aleksis tsipras], phonetically:[.le.ksis tsi.prs]; born 28 July 1974)[1]is aGreekpolitician,Prime Minister of Greecesince 26 January 2015 and leader of the left-wingSyrizaparty since 2009.[2][3]He was first elected to theGreek Parliamentin2009, and was theParty of the European Leftnominee forPresident of the European Commissionin the2014 European Parliament election. On 25 January 2015, Tsipras led Syriza to victory in a snap general election, receiving 36% of the vote and 149 out of the 300 seats in the Parliament and went on to become the 186th Prime Minister of Greece. In 2015 he was voted byTIMEmagazineas one of the100 most influential peopleglobally.[4]Contents[hide] 1Early life and career 2Political career 3Prime Minister of Greece 3.1Bailout referendum 3.2Bailout Agreement 4Personal life 5See also 6References 7External linksEarly life and career[edit]

Tsipras in 2013Tsipras was born 28 July 1974 inAthens. His family has its roots in a village nearBabaeskiin an area ofEastern Thracewhich was transferred fromGreeceto Turkey during the 1923population exchange between Greece and Turkey.[5]His father was born inEpirus.[6][7]His mother was born inEleftheroupoli.[8]Tsipras joined theCommunist Youth of Greecein the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, as a student atAmpelokipoiMulti-disciplinary High School, he was politically active in the student uprising against the controversial law ofEducation MinisterVasilis Kontogiannopoulos. He rose to prominence as a representative of the student movement when he was featured as a guest on a television show hosted by journalist Anna Panagiotarea. During the interview, Panagiotarea implied that Tsipras was being disingenuous in defending middle and high school students' right to absenteeism without parental notification in the context of protests.[9]Tsipras studied civil engineering at theNational Technical University of Athens, graduating in 2000, before undertaking postgraduate studies inUrban and Regional Planningfollowing an inter-departmental MPhil at the School of Architecture of NTUA. Alongside his postgraduate studies, he began working as a civil engineer in theconstruction industry. He wrote several studies and projects on the theme of the city of Athens.[9][10][11]As a university student, Tsipras joined the ranks of the renascent left-wing movement, particularly the "Enceladus" (Greek:) group, and as member of it was elected to the executive board of thestudents' unionof the Civil Engineering School ofNTUA, and also served as student representative on the University Senate. From 1995 to 1997 he was an elected member of the Central Council of the National Students Union of Greece (EFEE).[9]Political career[edit]After the departure of theCommunist Party of GreecefromSynaspismosin 1991, Tsipras remained in the coalition. In May 1999 he became the first political secretary ofSynaspismos'youth-wing, theSynaspismos Youth. During this period he was described as a centrist, other than the very clear radical, left-wing profile he would later maintain as leader of Synaspismos. In November 2003 he was succeeded by Tasos Koronakis and moved on to the mother party. He managed quite efficiently to maintain a strong adherence to the policy of the party, effectively outvoicing political deviants to the left and the right. As secretary of Synaspismos Youth, he took an active part in the process of creating theGreek Social Forumand attended many of the international protests and marches againstneoliberalglobalization. In December 2004, at the 4th Congress of Synaspismos, he was elected a member of the party's Central Political Committee and consequently to the Political Secretariat, where he was responsible for educational and youth issues.[9]Tsipras first entered the limelight of mainstream Greek politics during the2006 local electionwhen he ran for theMayor of Athensunder the "Anoihti Poli" (Greek: , "Open City")Syrizaticket that gained 10.51% of the Athenian vote, finishing third overall. Tsipras won a seat on theMunicipality of Athenscouncil by virtue of him being first on the Syrizalist.[9][12]He did not run for theGreek Parliamentin the2007 election, choosing to continue to complete his term as a member of the municipal council of Athens.

Alexis Tsipras giving his speech as a presidential candidate at the 5th Congress of Synaspismos.Tsipras was elected Leader of Synaspismos during its 5th Congress on 10 February 2008, after previous LeaderAlekos Alavanosdecided not to stand again due to personal reasons.[13]Tsipras became leader of Synaspismos at the age of 33, thus becoming the youngest leader of a Greek political party since 1931. In the2009 election, he was elected to theHellenic ParliamentforAthens Aand was subsequently voted unanimously to be the head of the Syriza parliamentary group.[2][3]Tsipras led SYRIZA through the2012 elections, overseeing a swing of over 22% to the party, and becoming theLeader of the Opposition.

Tsipras inBolognaholding a speech forThe Other Europeallied party.In December 2013 Tsipras was the first candidate proposed for the position of President of the Commission of theEuropean Unionby theEuropean United LeftNordic Green Left(GUE/NGL). The vote was aEUmember states election to the European Parliament in May 2014.Tsipras campaigned as the only candidate of the south periphery countries. At the beginning of May 2014, in a speech inBerlin, he clarified many of his positions, in opposition to the allegedlyMerkel-dominated neoliberal political course in Europe. Tsipras declared a substantial change for a better future for all Europeans is visible within 10 years. He addressed those who lost out in the fallout of the financial crises from 2008 to 2014, which produced unexpectedly high jobless rates in most of the EU. The speech was given in English to a German audience and intended to be listened to throughout Europe.[14]Although the GUE/NGL won in Greece, winning six of the 21 Greek seats in theEuropean Parliament, it finished fifth in Europe overall.Prime Minister of Greece[edit]

Alexis Tsipras laying down red roses at theKaisariani Memorial.

Alexis Tsipras speaking onSubversive Festival2013 inZagreb,Croatia.Tsipras led Syriza to victory in thegeneral electionheld on 25 January 2015, falling short of an outright majority in Parliament by just two seats. The following morning, Tsipras reached an agreement with theright-wing populistIndependent Greeksparty to form a coalition.On the same day he was sworn in byPresidentKarolos Papouliasas the youngestPrime Ministerin Greek history since 1865. Using the words "I declare in my name, honour and conscience to uphold the Constitution and its laws."[15]Tsipras was also the first prime minister to take a civil rather than a religiousoath of office, marking a rupture withGreek orthodoxceremonial culture.[16]While reaffirming the good relations between his party and the Church, he generated further religious controversy during a meeting withArchbishopIeronymos. Tsipras explained that as anatheistwho neither married in a religious ceremony nor baptised his children, he would not take a religious oath of office.[17]In his first act after being sworn in, Tsipras visited the Resistance Memorial inKaisariani, laying down red roses to commemorate the 200 members of theGreek Resistanceexecuted by the GermanWehrmachton1 May 1944.[18]During the first meeting of the new cabinet, Tsipras declared the priorities of his government to be the fight against the "humanitarian crisis" in Greece, negotiations with the EU and theInternational Monetary Fundon restructuring the Greek debt, and the implementation of promises made by SYRIZA such as the abolition of the previous government's privatization policies.[19]On 3 February 2015, Tsipras made his first official state visit, meeting with hisItaliancounterpart,Matteo RenziinRome. They held a joint press conference expressing concerns about austerity measures imposed by theJuncker Commissionand stated that economic growth is the only way to exit from the crisis. After the press conference, Renzi presented Tsipras with an Italiantieas a gift. Tsipras, who is notable for never wearing ties, thanked Renzi and said that he would wear the gift in celebration when Greece had successfully renegotiated the austerity measures.[20]On 20 February, the Eurogroup came to an agreement with Greece to extend the Greek bailout for four months.[21]Tsipras had also announced a trip to Moscow on 8 April, in a bid to secure Russian support.[22]On 31 May, Tspiras laid out his complaints and outlined his plan in a recap of events since his election. He concluded that there were at least two competing visions for the integration of Europe, both of which he seemed to reject, and that certain unnamed institutional actors had "an obsession" with their own technocratic programme.[23]On 22 June, Tsipras presented a new Greek proposal, which included raising the retirement age gradually to 67 and curbing early retirement. It also offered to reform the value-added-tax system to set the main rate at 23 percent.[24]On 29 June Greek banks stayed shut and Tsipras said they are to remain so to impose capital control. Trading in Greek stocks and bonds halted as well.[25][26]Bailout referendum[edit]Main article:Greek bailout referendum, 2015On 27 June 2015 Tsipras announced areferendumto decide whether or notGreeceshould accept the bailout conditions proposed jointly by theJuncker Commission, theInternational Monetary Fundand theEuropean Central Bank.Tsipras recommended a "No" vote. On 3 July, during an address to at least 25,000 people gathered in the capital's Syntagma square in front of parliament, he rejected some leaders' warnings that a "No" result in Sunday's plebiscite could see Greece forced to leave the eurozone. He declared "On Sunday, we are not simply deciding to remain in Europe -- we are deciding to live with dignity in Europe".[27]The result of the referendum was 61.3 percent voting "No."[28]Fidel Castrosent a letter to Tsipras congratulating him for the victory of "NO". In that letter he said that the courage of Greece caused the admiration of the people of Latin America and Caribbean.[29]Bailout Agreement[edit]After days of negotiation, on 13 July 2015, Greek Prime Minister A. Tsipras came to an agreement with the lenders.[30]Greece will get a loan of 82 to 86 billion euros, which shall be handed to Greece gradually from 2015 until June 2018. In return, Greece will have to increase the VAT, reform the pension system, assure the independence ofELSTAT, automatically cut public spending to get primary surpluses, reform justice so decisions can be made faster, follow the reforms proposed byOECD, revoke the laws passed by Tsipras except for the one concerning the "humanitarian crisis", recapitalize the banks, privatize 50 billion of state assets and decrease the cost of the public sector. In return, Greece would be given theJunckerpackage, 35 billion euros which will help the Greek economy to grow.Personal life[edit]Alexis Tsipras is not married. His registered partner is Peristera "Betty" Batziana, an electrical and computer engineer. They met in 1987, when 13, at the Ampelokipoi Branch High School. Both eventually became members of theCommunist Youth of Greece. They live together in Athens with their two sons.[31]Their youngest son's middle name is Ernesto, a tribute toChe Guevara. Tsipras is an avid football fan and, having grown up near the stadium, supportsPanathinaikos, attending every home game that he can.[7]Tsipras is a self-describedatheist,[32][33]making him (as of 2015) among the four publicly recognized atheist heads of government and state in the European Union, along withFrench PresidentFranois Hollande,Czech PresidentMilo Zeman, andCroatian Prime MinisterZoran Milanovi.[34]See also[edit] Politics of GreeceReferences[edit]1. Jump up^"What You Need To Know About Alexis Tsipras, The Greek Leader Who Wants To Change Europe". Huffington Post.2. ^Jump up to:ab .ANA-MPA(in Greek). 9 October 2006. Retrieved9 October2009.3. ^Jump up to:ab"Alexis Tsipras to head SYRIZA Parliamentary group".Athina 9.84 Municipal Radio(athina984.gr). 8 October 2009. Retrieved9 October2009.4. Jump up^"Time 100 - Alexis Tsipras, by Pablo Iglesias - time.com".Alexis Tsipras | TIME. April 16, 2015.5. Jump up^"Dnyann konutuu Yunan lider ipras, Babaeskili kt".Hrriyet. Retrieved2015-01-31.6. Jump up^" : .. ' "(in Greek).Hellenic Parliament. Retrieved16 October2010.7. ^Jump up to:abAndy Denwood (14 May 2012)."Profile: Alexis Tsipras, leader of Syriza". BBC News.8. Jump up^Apostolidis, Tasos (28 November 2007). : "" 33 .KavalaNet(in Greek) (kavalanet.gr). Retrieved22 May2009.9. ^Jump up to:abcde"Alexis Tsipras".Synaspismos. syn.gr. Retrieved22 May2009.10. Jump up^ (in Greek). syn.gr. 21 November 2008. Retrieved16 October2010.11. Jump up^ (in Greek). enet.gr. 9 October 2009. Retrieved16 October2010.12. Jump up^"Coalition selects A. Tsipras for Athens mayorship".ANA-MPA. Retrieved22 May2009.13. Jump up^"Tsipras new SYN leader, new CPC elected".ANA-MPA(ana.gr). Retrieved26 April2009.14. Jump up^http://www.alexistsipras.eu/index.php/8-news/163-tsipras-to-speak-at-die-linke-party-congress-in-berlin15. Jump up^"Greek Elections: Alexis Tsipras sworn in as the new Greek Prime Minister".newsit.gr. 26 January 2015. Retrieved10 February2015.16. Jump up^"A courteous distance".The Economist. 26 January 2015. Retrieved10 February2015.17. Jump up^"Tsipras explanation to Archbishop over lack of religious oath of office".Proto Thema. 26 January 2015. Retrieved10 February2015.18. Jump up^Helena Smith (26 January 2015)."Alexis Tsipras pays homage to Greek communists at site of Nazi atrocity".The Guardian. Retrieved14 February2015.19. Jump up^"" - , , , " (Total recall - Everything changes in Public Power Corp., Education, Public Sector and privatizations)".iefimerida.gr. Retrieved28 January2015.20. Jump up^"Tsipras, il tour anti-austerit a Roma. Padoan: "Crescita priorit per la Grecia"".Repubblica.it. 3 February 2015.21. Jump up^"Eurozone chiefs strike deal to extend Greek bailout for four months".theguardian.com. Retrieved20 February2015.22. Jump up^"Isolated Greece pivots east to Russia, China and Iran. But will it work?".http://www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved6 Apr2015.23. Jump up^lemonde.fr: "Alexis Tsipras: Non une zone euro deux vitesses", 31 May 201524. Jump up^: Greece offers new plan to avert default, creditors see some hope", 22 June 201525. Jump up^Mark Thompson (28 June 2015)."Greece shuts banks in bid to prevent collapse".CNNMoney.26. Jump up^"Greek debt crisis: Banks to stay shut, capital controls imposed".BBC News.27. Jump up^"Greece PM urges 'No' vote to 'live with dignity in Europe'".Yahoo News UK. 3 July 2015.28. Jump up^ 2015,Ministry of the Interior and Administrative Reconstruction. (accessed 5 July 2015)29. Jump up^"" " (Congratulation letter by Fidel Castro to Alexis Tsipras)".kathimerini.gr. Retrieved6 July2015.30. Jump up^"" "".news247.gr. Retrieved13 July2015.31. Jump up^ (in Greek). cosmo.gr. 17 May 2010. Retrieved16 October2010.32. Jump up^Smith, Helena (18 September 2014)."Pope Francis the 'pontiff of the poor', says Greece's Alexis Tsipras".The Guardian.Alexis Tsipras a radical leftist and self-described atheist33. Jump up^"Greece's far left: The company he keeps".The Economist. 4 October 2014.Mr Tsipras, an atheist34. Jump up^"These are the religious beliefs of Europes leadersincluding the atheists". Retrieved28 January2015.External links[edit]Wikimedia Commons has media related toAlexis Tsipras.

Homepage of Alexis Tsipras, 2014 candidature for European Commission President Curriculum VitaeSynaspismoswebsite Tsipras MP profile on Vouliwatch.gr CVandoffice termsofAlexis Tsiprasat theHellenic Parliament(English)Political offices

PrecededbyAntonis SamarasLeader of the Opposition20122015SucceededbyAntonis Samaras

PrecededbyAntonis SamarasPrime Minister of Greece2015presentIncumbent

Party political offices

PrecededbyAlekos AlavanosLeader ofSYRIZA2009presentIncumbent

[show] v t eHeads of governmentofGreece

[show] v t eCurrent CabinetofGreece

[show] v t eEuropean Council

[show] v t eParty of the European Left

Authority control WorldCat VIAF:86203747 LCCN:no2009205972 GND:138054738

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