George Petalotis Explained

George S. Petalotis
Native Name:Γεώργιος Σ. Πεταλωτής
Office1:Spokesman of the
Movement of Democratic Socialists
Alongside1:Filippos Sachinidis
Term Start1:3 January 2015
Office2:Deputy Minister for Justice, Transparency and Human Rights
Primeminister2:George Papandreou
Lucas Papademos
Term Start2:17 June 2011
Term End2:17 May 2012
Office3:Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesman
Primeminister3:George Papandreou
Term Start3:7 October 2009
Term End3:17 June 2011
Predecessor3:Evangelos Antonaros
Successor3:Angelos Tolkas (deputy minister)
Elias Mossialos (gov't spokesman)
Birth Date:11 March 1964
Birth Place:Komotini, Greece
Nationality:Greek
Party:Movement of Democratic Socialists (since 2015), PASOK (until 2015)
Spouse:Kleopatra A. Stogiannidou
Children:one daughter
Alma Mater:Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Democritus University of Thrace, University of Heidelberg
Profession:Attorney

George S. Petalotis (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Γεώργιος Σ. Πεταλωτής,[1] [2] born 11 March 1964 in Komotini, Greece) is a Greek politician of the Movement of Democratic Socialists. Under the former Greek prime minister George Papandreou he served as government spokesman and as Deputy Minister for Justice, Transparency and Human Rights.

Life

Early life

Petalotis graduated from the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He continued his studies in the Law School of the Democritus University of Thrace, obtaining a Ph.D. in Penal and Criminal Science.

He completed his academic studies in the University of Heidelberg, Germany, with a Major of Sciences in Legal Terminology, Language and Culture.

Professional career

In 1993, Petalotis became a member of the bar association of the Rhodope Prefecture, and was elected as the body's president in 1998. He remained active until 2002, when he quit his position to undertake responsibilities in the coordinating committee of the plenary of presidents of the bar associations of Greece. In 2005, he was re-elected as a president of the bar association of the Rhodope Prefecture.

Petalotis was the first correspondent of the Greek Council for Refugees, in cooperation with the corresponding United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Political career

In 2007, Petalotis was elected on the list of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) to represent the Rhodope constituency in the Hellenic Parliament. After the 2009 election, Petalotis was appointed Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesman. From 17 June 2011 until the May 2012 election, he was Deputy Minister for Justice, Transparency and Human Rights.

On 3 January 2015, it was announced that Petalotis would join former prime minister Papandreou in leaving PASOK to found the new Movement of Democratic Socialists. Petalotis and Filippos Sachinidis were appointed the media representatives of the new party.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://ekprosopos.gov.gr/?page_id=452 Official website of the Government Spokesman
  2. http://www.minpress.gr/minpress/en/print/index/index/ministry/min_hierarchy.htm Officials
  3. Web site: Papandreou launches party, aims for post-election role. Kathimerini. 2015-01-03. 2015-01-03.