List of political families in Greece

This article lists political families of Greece where two or more members of that family have been members or ministers of the Hellenic Parliament, the Greek Senate or of the European Parliament.

For the purposes of this list, a "family" has been defined as a group of people where each person has one of the following relationships to at least one of the other people listed:

  • son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter
  • father, mother, grandfather or grandmother
  • nephew, niece, grandnephew or grandniece
  • uncle, aunt, great uncle or great aunt
  • sibling and first cousin
  • spouse (husband or wife)
  • connected by marriage ("-in-law" relationships)

The list has been indexed against the name of the first family member to enter one of the bodies mentioned above.

History

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Political dynasties have long been a feature of the Greek political landscape. They are typically characterized as families that have established their political careers usually starting from local politics and gradually moving upwards to national government or other positions of national politics. Political dynasties usually have a strong, consolidated support base, and this background and the personalities of individual members are often as important as the political positions and parties they represent. Members of such dynasties usually do not limit their involvement to political activities, and may participate in business or cultural activities. There have also been intermarriages between the political families as well.

Political dynasties started emerging in the 19th century after the Greek War of Independence and the independence of Greece. However, political dynasties became a prominent feature in Greek politics from the 20th century onwards. Among the many Greek political dynasties, the most prominent have been the Venizelos, Karamanlis, Papandreou and Mitsotakis/Bakoyannis families.


  • Gerasimos Arsenis (1931–2016): PASOK MP and Minister for National Economy 1982–85, Economics 1984–85, Mercantile Marine 1985, Defence 1993–96, and Education 1996–2000
    • his wife Louka Katseli, (born 1952): PASOK MP and Minister for the Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping (2009–10) and Minister for Labour and Social Security (2010–11).
  • Georgios Gennimatas (1939–1994): PASOK MP and Minister for the Interior 1981–84, Health 1984–87, Labour (1987–89) and National Economy (1989, 1993–94)
    • his daughter Fofi Gennimata (1964–2021): PASOK MP and super-prefect for Athens and Piraeus 2003–09, Deputy Minister for Health 2009–10 and Education 2010–11, Deputy Minister of the Interior 2011–12, PASOK president 2015–2021
  • Dimitrios Stephanopoulos (1885–1973): MP for Achaea (1920-22, 1926-28, 1932-35), Minister for Market Regulations (1935), Minister for Supplies (1946)
  • Thrasyvoulos Zaimis (1825–1889): Prime Minister 1869–70 and 1871
    • his son Alexandros Zaimis (1855–1936): Prime Minister 1897–99, 1901–02, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1926–1928, President of Greece 1929–35

See also

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