Who is Kyriakos Mitsotakis?
A former bank executive, the 55-year-old Harvard graduate was born into a political dynasty that produced a former prime minister, a former foreign minister and the current mayor of Athens. Mitsotakis has led New Democracy, Greece’s center-right pole for the past half-century, since 2016, bringing it closer to the political center with a pro-reform and pro-business agenda.
Elected prime minister in 2019, he is credited with Greece’s successful handling of the pandemic and two crises with neighboring Turkey, while overseeing high growth and job creation. But a wiretapping scandal and a rail disaster damaged his ratings.
However, Mitsotakis has argued against any post-election coalition deal, saying Greece needs a strong government to ensure stability and a return to investment grade for its bonds, ending the latest high-profile reminder of the financial crisis 2009-2018. A second election would suit him because of the seat bonus, although he has suggested there could be a third election, if necessary.
