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Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Kyriakos Mitsotakis is a Greek politician. He has been the leader of the conservative New Democracy party since 2016 and prime minister of Greece since 2019.

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In the foreground, ten people dressed in summer clothes sit on a sailing boat. Some of them are looking at a large group of migrants, most of whom are men, packed onto a quay behind them in the background. Most of the migrants are sitting on the ground close together in rows in front of the quay wall. An ambulance with its rear door open is parked beside the migrants. The sun is shining. Agia Galini, Crete, Greece, July 6, 2025

In the foreground, ten people dressed in summer clothes sit on a sailing boat. Some of them are looking at a large group of migrants, most of whom are men, packed onto a quay behind them in the background. Most of the migrants are sitting on the ground close together in rows in front of the quay wall. An ambulance with its rear door open is parked beside the migrants. The sun is shining. Agia Galini, Crete, Greece, July 6, 2025

Is Greece in the middle of a new refugee crisis?

Greece wants to use tough measures to deter refugees entering the country by sea from Libya.

A man (Kyriakos Mitsotakis) in a dark suit and tie holds out both hands as he speaks at a lectern. The flags of the EU and Greece can be seen in the background, Berlin, Germany, May 13, 2025

A man (Kyriakos Mitsotakis) in a dark suit and tie holds out both hands as he speaks at a lectern. The flags of the EU and Greece can be seen in the background, Berlin, Germany, May 13, 2025

Greek government in crisis after EU subsidy scandal

A scandal concerning illegally obtained EU agricultural subsidies has rocked Greece and led to a number of resignations.

Protesters throw flyers as Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks, on the third and final day of a censure motion debate against the conservative government in parliament on March 7, 2025 over a deadly rail disaster

Protesters throw flyers as Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks, on the third and final day of a censure motion debate against the conservative government in parliament on March 7, 2025 over a deadly rail disaster

Greek PM appoints new ministers after train tragedy protests

The reshuffle follows widespread protests over a 2023 train crash that demonstrators believe is being covered up.

Young men and women in a crowd chant slogans and hold up banners and signs with messages in Greek, one of which reads 'I have no oxygen'

Young men and women in a crowd chant slogans and hold up banners and signs with messages in Greek, one of which reads 'I have no oxygen'

Greeks to mark anniversary of Tempi train crash with strike

Two years after the train crash that killed 57 people, Greeks are still demanding justice for the victims of the crash.

A panoramic view of homes on Santorini, with red-and-white caution tape in the foreground

A panoramic view of homes on Santorini, with red-and-white caution tape in the foreground

Greek island of Santorini rocked by relentless quakes

Thousands of tremors have hit Santorini in the past two weeks. Residents and tourists left for the mainland in droves.

Yellow metal pipes and pipe wheels at a compressor station in Greece

Yellow metal pipes and pipe wheels at a compressor station in Greece

Greece: Offshore gas instead of green energy projects?

The Greek government seems to have shifted its energy policy focus from green energy to offshore gas production.

A border guard in a yellow safety vest with the German word for 'police' on the back uses a traffic paddle to indicate to the driver of a black car to stop at the Walserberg border crossing between Germany and Austria

A border guard in a yellow safety vest with the German word for 'police' on the back uses a traffic paddle to indicate to the driver of a black car to stop at the Walserberg border crossing between Germany and Austria

Concern in Greece about German border checks

Athens is worried that Germany's reintroduction of border checks could have a knock-on effect across Europe.

Ethnic Greek Albanian politician Fredi Beleri sits at a table on a terrace

Ethnic Greek Albanian politician Fredi Beleri sits at a table on a terrace

Jailed ethnic Greek Albanian seeks to become Greek MEP

Greece's ruling party has put a jailed mayor-elect from Albania's Greek minority on its list for the EU elections.

Flowers and the picture of a woman at the site of the crash

Flowers and the picture of a woman at the site of the crash

Greek voters demand justice for Tempi train crash

More than a year has passed since 57 people lost their lives in the biggest train crash in Greek history.

The Albanian (top) and Greek flags

The Albanian (top) and Greek flags

Why have relations between Greece and Albania deteriorated?

Although Greek-Albanian relations have never been easy, they have worsened in recent years.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gestures during a visit to London

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gestures during a visit to London

UK's Sunak cancels Greek PM talks amid Parthenon Marbles row

Kyriakos Mitsotakis was left frustrated by the cancellation as he was keen to address the Parthenon Marbles.

Leader of the conservative New Democracy party, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, attends the swearing-in ceremony to become the new Greek prime minister, Presidential Palace, Athens, Greece, June 26, 2023

Leader of the conservative New Democracy party, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, attends the swearing-in ceremony to become the new Greek prime minister, Presidential Palace, Athens, Greece, June 26, 2023

Greece: Mitsotakis takes office after conservative landslide

Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been sworn in as PM after winning an absolute majority with the help of a new electoral system.

Leader of the New Democracy conservative party Kyriakos Mitsotakis attends the swearing-in ceremony as prime minister in Athens, Greece

Leader of the New Democracy conservative party Kyriakos Mitsotakis attends the swearing-in ceremony as prime minister in Athens, Greece

Greece: Mitsotakis sworn in after conservative election win

Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his conservatives secured a record-high winning margin in Greece's parliamentary elections.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaking to a crowd outside the New Democracy party headquarters

Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaking to a crowd outside the New Democracy party headquarters

Greece election: Conservatives claim resounding victory

Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his party now has a "safe majority" in parliament that will allow it to enact "major reforms."

Posters for the social-democratic PASOK party in Greece in the run-up to the parliamentary election on Sunday, June 25, 2023

Posters for the social-democratic PASOK party in Greece in the run-up to the parliamentary election on Sunday, June 25, 2023

Greece: Leftist parties in crisis in run-up to election

Greece goes to the polls on Sunday for the second time in just over a month. The outlook for leftist parties is bleak.

Protesters on Syntagma Square carry Greek flags and signs reading 'Oxi' (No) in opposition to the austerity demands made by the country's international creditors, Athens, Greece, June 29, 2015

Protesters on Syntagma Square carry Greek flags and signs reading 'Oxi' (No) in opposition to the austerity demands made by the country's international creditors, Athens, Greece, June 29, 2015

What have been some of Greece's biggest election promises?

In the run-up to Sunday's parliamentary election, DW looks back at some of the overblown pledges made in past campaigns.

Supporters of Greece's far-right Golden Dawn group demonstrate in front of the Greek Parliament demanding action to stop illegal migration flows, Athens, January 19, 2020

Supporters of Greece's far-right Golden Dawn group demonstrate in front of the Greek Parliament demanding action to stop illegal migration flows, Athens, January 19, 2020

Exclusion of far-right parties narrows field for election

Several far-right parties hoping to run in Greece's general election have been disqualified by the Supreme Court.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Greece to hold national elections on May 21

The Greek government has called for elections two months early as it reels from a wave of protests.

Protesters take part in a demonstration in Thessaloniki following the fatal collision of two trains near the city of Larissa, March 8, 2023

Protesters take part in a demonstration in Thessaloniki following the fatal collision of two trains near the city of Larissa, March 8, 2023

Greece train crash: Protesters rage at political system

After the deadly train crash in Central Greece, grief has turned into rage against governments past and present.

People gather during a protest outside the Greek parliament, in Athens

People gather during a protest outside the Greek parliament, in Athens

Greece: Thousands protest train crash as PM offers apology

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has apologized for the train crash that killed 57 people.

In this photo provided by the Greek Prime Minister's Office, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis answers a question during an interview on Greece's ANTENNA TV

In this photo provided by the Greek Prime Minister's Office, Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis answers a question during an interview on Greece's ANTENNA TV

Greek PM slams wire-tapping claims as 'incredible lie'

A Greek newspaper has reported that more than 30 people, including government ministers, have been under surveillance.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the left, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the left, in Athens, Greece

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the left, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the left, in Athens, Greece

Scholz urges Turkey and Greece to talk

During a visit to Greece, the German chancellor offered to mediate a dispute over islands in the eastern Mediterranean.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a rally in Samsun, Turkey on September 3, 2022

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a rally in Samsun, Turkey on September 3, 2022

Erdogan warns Greece over alleged airspace breach

The Turkish leader told Greece to stop harassing his country's fighter jets, warning Athens would pay a "heavy price."

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Greek PM defends secret service amid wiretap scandal

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the secret service's wiretapping of an opposition leader was wrong but legal.

Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Greece celebrates as EU fiscal oversight ends

The EU will no longer monitor Greek state finances, ending a policy prompted by the eurozone debt crisis.

Panagiotis Kontoleon, the head of Greece's intelligence service attends a meeting at the Greek Parliament in Athens

Panagiotis Kontoleon, the head of Greece's intelligence service attends a meeting at the Greek Parliament in Athens

Greek spy chief quits amid Predator spyware row

The intelligence service head stepped down during a scandal after a reported attempt to spy on an opposition politician.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan watches jet fighters fly past

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan watches jet fighters fly past

Turkish-Greek island spat flares up again

The Ukraine war is having an impact on a long-running territorial dispute and Turkey is taking a more aggressive stance.

Burns marks and broken windows at the Real News office in Athens

Burns marks and broken windows at the Real News office in Athens

Greek news and radio office hit in firebomb attack

People had to be evacuated from the Real FM building after an explosion sparked a large fire.

Olaf Scholz in a suit walking on tarmac wtih folders and a bag

Olaf Scholz in a suit walking on tarmac wtih folders and a bag

Germany takes on crisis manager role in Greece visit

In a visit to Thessaloniki, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes to resolve tensions between Athens and Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks following a Cabinet meeting, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, May 23, 2022.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks following a Cabinet meeting, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, May 23, 2022.

Turkey's Erdogan says he will blank Greek PM over US remarks

The Turkish president has accused Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis of telling the US to not sell fighter jets to Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (R) in Istanbul

Turkey and Greece talk Ukraine, pledge to improve ties

The two NATO members are often at loggerheads but their leaders now want more cooperation amid the war in Ukraine.

Alekos Fassianos

Alekos Fassianos

Greek artist Alekos Fassianos dies

He adopted a personal anthropocentric style and was given awards by the French and Russian governments.

A ship with migrants near the southern Greek island of Crete

A ship with migrants near the southern Greek island of Crete

Greece says Turkey is pushing migrants into its waters

Greek authorities claim Turkey is acting like a "pirate state in the Aegean Sea."

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomes EU's Ursula von der Leyen

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomes EU's Ursula von der Leyen

EU Med states want 'urgent' action on climate

In the Mediterranean, climate change is stretching "response capabilities" to the limit, said the EU nations' delegates.

Aerial view of burnt land on the island of Evia

Aerial view of burnt land on the island of Evia

Greek PM admits mistakes in fight against fires

Greece's prime minister says more could have been done to prepare for this year's devastating fire season.

A firefighter tries to extinguish a wildfire burning on the island of Evia

A firefighter tries to extinguish a wildfire burning on the island of Evia

Greek PM apologizes amid 'unprecedented' wildfires

Kyriakos Mitsotakis has admitted accountability amid public anger over the state's handling of the disaster.

Griechenland 200 Jahre Unabhängigkeit | Kampfjets über Athen

Griechenland 200 Jahre Unabhängigkeit | Kampfjets über Athen

Greece celebrates 200 years of independence

Greece has marked two centuries since the start of its struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Dimitris Lignadis being taken into custody

Dimitris Lignadis being taken into custody

Theater abuse case sparks Greek #MeToo movement

Rape allegations against a former National Theatre director set off a belated #MeToo movement in Greece.

Protester stands in front of riot police

Protester stands in front of riot police

Strike shuts down Greek islands over migrant camp protests

Lesbos has launched a one-day labor stoppage following "extremely aggressive" clashes between police and protesters.

Scene showing boat on Evros River

Scene showing boat on Evros River

Greece boosts military presence along Turkish border

Relations between Greece and Turkey are tense. Now Athens has boosted its military presence along their shared border.

Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou

Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou

Greece elects first woman president

Sakellaropoulou has worked as a top-level judge but remains a political outsider.

Protesters holding red flags march in Athens

Protesters holding red flags march in Athens

Greek protesters mark 1973 student uprising

It is the first major demonstration since the election of Greece's new conservative government.

Chiense and Greek flags

Chiense and Greek flags

Greece, China aim to deepen ties

Greece's Kyriakos Mitsotakis and a delegation of business representatives are in China, hoping to pen lucrative deals.

Migrants arriving at the Moria registration center on the Greek island of Lesbos

Migrants arriving at the Moria registration center on the Greek island of Lesbos

Inside Europe: Greece toughens asylum law

Greece is struggling to cope with a huge increase in migrant and refugee arrivals. And there's concern that Turkey's military offensive in northern Syria will send fresh waves of refugees to Europe. There are also fears that Islamist extremists are among those heading to Europe. And that's forcing the EU's police agency, Europol, to take urgent action. Anthee Carassava reports from Athens.

A fire breaks out at Moria camp, Lesbos

A fire breaks out at Moria camp, Lesbos

Greece wants Turkey to take 10,000 migrants after fire

The Greek government wants to return thousands of migrants to Turkey to ease pressure at overcrowded camps.

Merkel empfängt Papandreou Griechische Flagge vor Kanzleramt in Berlin

Merkel empfängt Papandreou Griechische Flagge vor Kanzleramt in Berlin

Greece calls for new era of German relations

Greece's new conservative prime minister wants to implement reforms more far-reaching than those imposed by the EU.

Gesundheit Rauchen Raucher trotz Verbot

Gesundheit Rauchen Raucher trotz Verbot

Inside Europe: Clampdown on smoking in Greece

Greece's new prime minister has unveiled a raft of new measures to boost the economy and instil law and order. But Kyriakos Mitsotakis' biggest challenge may be to wean Italians off cigarettes. In his first decrees, the PM has ordered the nation's parliament to be smoke-free, and vowed to enforce existing smoking bans — and steep fines. Anthee Carassava reports from Athens.

A Greek and a European Union flag billow in the wind as the ruins of the fifth century BC Parthenon temple is seen in the background

A Greek and a European Union flag billow in the wind as the ruins of the fifth century BC Parthenon temple is seen in the background

Greece's new premier vows growth

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has vowed Greece's growth plans would be a "pleasant surprise for Europe."

Griechenland Insel von Ägina

Griechenland Insel von Ägina

Hope for new government in Greece

Many Greeks are in a bad economic situation. Can the change of government remedy the situation?

Podcast Inside Europe

Podcast Inside Europe

Inside Europe 12.07.2019

A diplomatic row over UK ambassador’s leaked cables – A change of political pace in Greece - Finland gets tough on climate action – Frenchman dies in controversial right-to-die case - The Nordic diet goes mainstream – UK Jews push for German citizenship – Trade tariff tension between Serbia and Kosovo – Debate in Italy over social housing for Roma – Rapping in Russia