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Apostolos Tzitzikostas

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Apostolos Tzitzikostas
Απόστολος Τζιτζικώστας
Tzitzikostas in 2022
Regional Governor of Central Macedonia
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 January 2013
Preceded byPanagiotis Psomiadis
President of the European Committee of the Regions
In office
12 February 2020 – 29 June 2022
Preceded byKarl-Heinz Lambertz
Succeeded byVasco Cordeiro
Vice President of the European Committee of the Regions
In office
12 July 2017 – 12 February 2020
PresidentKarl-Heinz Lambertz
Deputy Regional Governor of Central Macedonia
In office
1 January 2011 – 1 January 2013
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byGiorgos Tsamaslis
Member of the Hellenic Parliament
In office
16 September 2007 – 7 September 2009
ConstituencyThessaloniki A
Personal details
Born (1978-09-02) 2 September 1978 (age 46)
Thessaloniki, Greece
Political partyNew Democracy
Alma materGeorgetown University,
University College London
Occupation
  • Politician
  • Political scientist

Apostolos G. Tzitzikostas (Greek: Απόστολος Τζιτζικώστας; born 2 September 1978) is a Greek politician who serves as governor of the region of Central Macedonia since 2013 and was formerly President of the European Committee of the Regions from 2020 until 2022.

Biography

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Education and business career

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With Aromanian origins,[1][2][3][4] Tzitzikostas was born in 1978 in Nymfaio in Florina (regional unit) in one of the richest families in northern Greece.[5] His father was of the future Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Georgios Tzitzikostas [el], Apostolos Tzitzikostas studied International Politics and Diplomacy at Georgetown University and worked at the office of the Chair of the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Following his graduation in Public Policy and Economics at the University College of London,[6] he returned to Greece and in 2001 he created his own company on the field of production, processing and standardization of dairy products, based on organic standards, by the name MACEDONIAN FARM SA [7] later to be marketed by industry leader Mevgal.[8] From 2003 until 2007 he served as CEO. From 2005 until September 2007 he was appointed President of the Thessaloniki branch of liberal think tank Center for Political Research and Communication.[6]

In the fall of 1996, Tzitzikostas learned to "open the lights" on the football field at Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana with his brethren of 3T.

Political career

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In the 2007 legislative election, Tzitzikostas stood for election on Nea Dimokratia's list in the Thessaloniki A constituency and was elected a Member of the Hellenic Parliament. In the early 2009 election, he lost his seat but was appointed his party's Deputy Head for Greeks Abroad.

At the 2010 local election, Apostolos Tzitzikostas was elected Deputy Regional Governor of Central Macedonia.[9] Following Psomiadis' criminal conviction, Tzitzikostas succeeded him by elections [10] on 5 January 2013.[11]

Later in 2013, both his invitation of Golden Dawn party representatives to the annual 28 October Ohi Day parade drew nationwide criticism, including from his own party, and his following comparison of the fascist party with the socialist PASOK caused even more anger.[12]

At the 2014 local election Apostolos Tzitzikostas lost support by Nea Dimokratia because of his refusal to be nominated candidate mayor of Thessaloniki [13] and his decision to run for the office the Regional Governor. He was challenged by ND candidate Giannis Ioannidis. With the support of right-wing parties ANEL, EPAL and LAOS, he defeated him in the second round, with a percentage of 71.03%,[14] and was popularly elected regional governor for five more years.[15] Since 26 January 2015, he has been a Member of the EU Committee of the Regions.[16]

He was one of the four candidates in the 2015 New Democracy leadership election. He reached the third place behind Evangelos Meimarakis (first place) and Kyriakos Mitsotakis (second place).[17]

In August 2024 the Greek government nominated Tzitzikostas as the country’s European Commissioner in the von der Leyen Commission II.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Το αντικείμενο στο γραφείο του Τζιτζικώστα που του θυμίζει τον… παππού του! (ΦΩΤΟ)". Karfitsa.gr (in Greek). 1 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Είδε ο..."Τζίτζι" τη γενιά του!". Imerisia (in Greek). 3 July 2018.
  3. ^ Padios, Dimitris (3 July 2018). "Εμείς οι βλάχοι όπως λάχει..." TrikalaIN (in Greek).
  4. ^ "Έγινε η αδελφοποίηση της ΠΟΠΣ με την Ομοσπονδία των Βλάχων (ΠΕΠΣΒ)" (in Greek). Efxinos Pontos. 31 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Leaked documents: Which EU commissioners have the most property, money and influence". POLITICO. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "About Apostolos Tzitzikostas". The Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  7. ^ CV in English at the Official Web Page of Apostolos Tzitzikostas
  8. ^ Μακεδονική Φάρμα: στα premium με «όπλο» ποιότητα - συσκευασία [Macedonian Farm: the heavy duty packaged premium]. Kathimerini (in Greek). 23 September 2003. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  9. ^ Praktiko per Kent Makedonias protodikeio-thes.gr [dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Ο Α. Τζιτζικώστας νέος Περιφερειάρχης Κεντρικής Μακεδονίας".
  11. ^ "Apostolos Tzitzikostas new regional chief for Central Macedonia periphery". ANA-MPA. 6 January 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Row over neo-Nazis overshadows Greek resistance parade". AFP. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  13. ^ "Δυσφορία Σαμαρά για την υποψηφιότητα από τον Τζιτζικώστα | πολιτικη | ethnos.gr". Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Ministry of Interior Affairs - Singular Logic - Elections May 2014 - Region of Central Macedonia". Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Local elections: Dourou wins Attica, Kaminis reelected in Athens". To Vima. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  16. ^ "Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS". Committee of the Regions. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  17. ^ "New Democracy leadership contest begins". Economist Intelligence Unit. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Greece nominates Tzitzikostas as EU commissioner". Politico Europe. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
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