Greece Nominates Apostolos Tzitzikostas for EU Commissioner Role

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia, has been nominated by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to serve as Greece’s new Commissioner in Brussels. The current Greek Commissioner is Margaritis Schinas.

During a meeting in Athens on Thursday, Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighted Tzitzikostas’ distinguished career in local politics, noting his tenure as regional governor for the past decade, during which he secured substantial majorities in elections.

“This demonstrates widespread acceptance of your leadership. Additionally, your extensive experience with European institutions, including your role as President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), is highly valuable,” Mitsotakis remarked.

Tzitzikostas expressed his gratitude for the Prime Minister’s nomination, calling it both an honor and a significant responsibility.

He emphasized his commitment to working diligently to meet the expectations of European citizens.

“Your decision acknowledges the role and contributions of northern Greece and Macedonia, where you have prioritized and invested in numerous significant public works,” Tzitzikostas told the Prime Minister.

Greek PM highlights Greece’s role in the Balkans, Southeastern Europe

The Greek Prime Minister also underscored Greece’s significant advancements and its strategic role in the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. He expressed confidence that Greece would be able to have a portfolio reflecting these achievements.

However, he noted that the allocation of responsibilities for each Commissioner remains the sole prerogative of Ursula von der Leyen, who has been reelected for a second term as President of the European Commission.

Tzitzikostas: A brief CV

Apostolos Tzitzikostas was born in 1978 and studied Political Science, International Relations, and Diplomacy at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He began his career working in the Office of the President of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Congress. Tzitzikostas later earned a Master’s in European Public Policy and Finance from University College London. In 2002, he established a company in Thessaloniki specializing in the production and processing of bio milk products.

In 2007, he was elected to the Greek Parliament as a representative of Thessaloniki. He was elected Regional Deputy Governor of Thessaloniki in 2010 and became Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia in 2014. He was reelected to this position in 2019 and again in 2023.

In November 2019, Tzitzikostas was elected President of the Union of Greek Regions (ENPE), a position to which he was reelected in February 2024.

He has been a member of the European Committee of the Regions since 2015 and was elected President of the Committee in February 2020.

Tzitzikostas has held various other official positions throughout his tenure in the Greek Parliament and local politics. He is married to Elena Vlahou, and they have two children.

About EU Commissioners 

EU Commissioners are the senior officials of the European Commission, with one Commissioner appointed from each member state. Similar to ministers in a national government, each Commissioner is assigned a detailed policy brief overseeing specific areas of EU policy.