Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has chosen X.Tzitzikostas as Greece’s candidate for EU commissioner, aiming for a relevant portfolio related to economics or defence. Tzitzikostas is currently the governor of Central Macedonia and has been elected to this position three times with over 50% of the vote. He is experienced in institutional roles both in Greece and Europe, having been a member of the EU’s Committee of the Regions since 2015 and serving as its president from 2020 to 2022. His selection underscores the strategic importance of Macedonia and Northern Greece to Europe, highlighting their connectivity and geopolitical significance in the Balkans and South-Eastern Europe.
Tzitzikostas has a background in economics, public policy, and international affairs, having worked for the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs and founded an organic dairy company in Greece. He holds a degree in Economics and Public Policy from the University College of London. Mitsotakis hopes to secure a significant portfolio for Tzitzikostas, leveraging his strong relationship with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Tzitzikostas has mentioned aiming for an economic or defence-related portfolio, but could also be a good pick for cohesion policy or agriculture, as von der Leyen wants to appoint someone from her own European People’s Party.
The selection of Tzitzikostas comes as Greece’s contribution to the Commission’s candidate pool, with 16 member states having formally nominated candidates so far. Of these, eleven have only submitted male candidates, complicating von der Leyen’s ambition to achieve gender parity in the next College of Commissioners. Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer recently nominated Finance Minister Magnus Brunner as the next Austrian commissioner, describing him as an experienced government politician with expertise in financial, economic, and competition policy at national and European levels, suggesting a preference for an economic portfolio.
Outgoing Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas, who had been speculated as a potential reappointment, congratulated Tzitzikostas on his nomination. Tzitzikostas’ experience in both Greek and European institutions is seen as an asset for the role of EU commissioner. His government sees his background in institutional roles and knowledge of European affairs as key qualifications for the position. Tzitzikostas is highly regarded by the Greek government for his leadership in Central Macedonia and his understanding of the region’s importance to Europe.
Mitsotakis has already informed von der Leyen of his decision to nominate Tzitzikostas as Greece’s candidate for EU commissioner. He is aiming to secure a relevant portfolio for Tzitzikostas, leveraging his strong relationship with von der Leyen and his previous involvement in European institutions. Tzitzikostas’ background in economics, public policy, and international affairs makes him a strong candidate for an economic or defence-related portfolio within the Commission. The strategic importance of Macedonia and Northern Greece to Europe further emphasizes the significance of Tzitzikostas’ nomination as Greece’s candidate for EU commissioner.
Overall, Tzitzikostas’ nomination reflects Greece’s commitment to contributing to the EU Commission candidate pool and highlights the country’s strategic importance in Europe. Mitsotakis’ selection of Tzitzikostas as Greece’s candidate for EU commissioner underscores the significance of Macedonia and Northern Greece in the region and their connectivity and geopolitical relevance within the EU. Tzitzikostas’ experience and background in economics, public policy, and international affairs make him a strong candidate for a relevant portfolio within the Commission, and his nomination aligns with von der Leyen’s goals of achieving gender parity and diversity in the next College of Commissioners.
