Panagiotis Kouroumblis
| Panagiotis Kouroumblis MP | |
|---|---|
| Παναγιώτης Κουρουμπλής | |
| Minister of the Interior and Administrative Reconstruction | |
|
Assumed office 23 September 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Alexis Tsipras |
| Preceded by | Antonis Manitakis |
| Minister for Health and Social Security | |
|
In office 27 January 2015 – 28 August 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Alexis Tsipras |
| Preceded by | Makis Voridis |
| Succeeded by | Athanasios Dimopoulos |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
2 October 1951 Matsouki, Aetolia-Acarnania, Greece |
| Political party |
SYRIZA (2012–present) Unitary Front (2011–2012) PASOK (2009–2011) |
| Spouse(s) | Eleni Kotsopoulou |
| Children | two (Katerina, Lefteris) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
Panagiotis Kouroumblis (Greek: Παναγιώτης Κουρουμπλής; born 2 October 1951) is a Greek politician of Syriza. On 27 January 2015 he was appointed the Minister for Health and Social Solidarity in the First Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.[1] On 23 September 2015, he became the Minister of the Interior and Administrative Reconstruction in the Second Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.
Early life
Blinded at age 10 from the explosion of a German hand-grenade, a remnant of World War II, Kouroumblis took part in a number of student and popular struggles, and eventually became the leader of a "social uprising" of the blind. He is a founding member of the World Blind Union and worked more generally in the areas of children protection, care for the elderly and people with disabilities.[2]
Political career
In 1996, Kouroumblis became the first blind Member of the Hellenic Parliament.[2] He was reeelected in 2000 and again in 2009. In 2011, he left Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) to found the anti-austerity Unitary Movement that in 2013 ultimately merged into Syriza.
Following Syriza's victory in the January 2015 legislative election, he was appointed Minister for Health and Social Solidarity, becoming the first disabled person to take any public office at the national government level in Greece.[1]
References
- 1 2 Smith, Helena; Ian Traynor (27 January 2015). "Greek PM Alexis Tsipras unveils cabinet of mavericks and visionaries". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
- 1 2 "Panagiotis Kouroumplis". Hellenic Parliament. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
External links
- Official website (Greek)
- Terms of office of Panagiotis Kouroumblis at the Hellenic Parliament (English)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Makis Voridis as Minister for Health |
Minister for Health and Social Security since 27 January 2015 |
Incumbent |