Theodoros Pangalos
Encyclopedia
Theodoros Pangalos is a Greek politician and leading member of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement
. He currently serves as the Vice-President
of the Greek government
, responsible for the coordination of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense
(KYSEA) and the new Economic & Social Policy Committee.
, Greece
. He is the grandson of General and 1926 dictator Theodoros Pangalos
.
Pangalos was member of the left-wing Lambrakis Youth and, in 1964, a candidate for the Hellenic Parliament
with the United Democratic Left
(EDA). Pangalos opposed the 1967 military dictatorship
, and was deprived by the junta of his Greek citizenship in 1968.
, rising to its Central Committee, before eventually joining the PASOK
socialist party during the Metapolitefsi
. He was elected for the first time as a MP
in the 1981 general election
with PASOK and has been continuously re-elected since.
1980s
In 1989, he threatened "to turn the [Greek] parliament into Beijing, a reference to the recentTiananmen Square massacre
in the face of a political understanding between the Right and the Left for the formation of government. Ten years later, he described the Greek parliament as being composed of "Kenyan delegates" in reaction to the outcry brought about by his mismanagement of the Öcalan affair.
1990s
In 1996 he was appointed as a Minister for Foreign Affairs
and held the post until his resignation in 1999, in the aftermath of the scandal involving the Kurdish nationalist leader, Abdullah Öcalan
: helped by individual members of the Greek intelligence agencies Öcalan entered Greece illegally and was then deported to Kenya
, where he was captured by Turkish agents after leaving the Greek embassy at Nairobi
.
Theodoros Pangalos is famous for his colourful language and his cursory and insolent comments about his political opponents and foreign dignitaries.
In 1997, he described the Turkish
establishment as "murderers, rapists and thieves" in the midst of disagreements over the Turkish candidacy for entry into the European Union
. Six months earlier, Theodoros Pangalos had, in sharp contrast to his later statements, declared that "Turkey certainly belongs in Europe, as it is a part of European history".
He is also known to regularly express opinions which contradict the official stance of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement
while he has used strong language against numerous politicians including Georgios Alogoskoufis
, the former Minister for Economy and Finance
with the New Democracy
party.
2000s
He was briefly made Minister for Culture
in 2000, an appointment which was widely criticized, in view of his previous statement that artists who had protested his handling of the Öcalan affair were 'kouradomanges' (turd tough guys). According to the Panhellenic Socialist Movement
-leaning daily newspaper To Vima
, Theodoros Pangalos resolved an administrative dispute with a Greek diplomatic official by "punching him to the ground" when the employee in question offered a handshake.
During the financial crisis of 2007–2010 when the nation of Greece entered a massive financial crisis he demanded reparations from Germany for the war crimes committed during World War II instead of the austerity program demanded by EU banks.
In 2010, he angered the Greeks when, with reference to the misappropriation of the Greek state funds as the reason why the country was led to the verge of bankruptcy, he accused disgracefully all of the citizens with the words "Mazi ta fagame" ("We fooled away the money together [government and citizens])".
Pangalos has stated on numerous occasions that he fights Greece's corner at every opporunity.
His year then further detoriated when he was caught stating that Greeks are lazy and Turks are hard workers while on an official visit to Turkey where he was supposed to be promoting Greek banks investing in Turkey. Once again he denied he had made these comments or given an interview to Hurriyet
and finally accused his accusers of lying. ND spokesman Yiannis Michelakis labeled Panagalos as being “out of control” and called for some action.
Pangalos also said he would sue the Eleftheros Typos
newspaper over its report, which labeled him a “liar.” Things than got even worse for Pangalos as the Turkish journalist had actually recorded him making the remarks in question and thus ending the debate.
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Panhellenic Socialist Movement
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement , known mostly by its acronym PASOK , is one of the two major political parties in Greece. Founded on 3 September 1974 by Andreas Papandreou, in 1981 PASOK became Greece's first social democratic party to win a majority in parliament.The party is a socialist party...
. He currently serves as the Vice-President
Deputy Prime Minister of Greece
The Deputy Prime Minister of Greece is the deputy of the Prime Minister of Greece and the second most senior member of the Greek Cabinet. The post is not permanent, rather it is created on an ad hoc basis...
of the Greek government
Cabinet of Greece
The cabinet of Greece , officially called the Ministerial Council , constitutes the Government of Greece. It is the collective decision-making body of the Hellenic Republic, composed of the Prime Minister and the Ministers...
, responsible for the coordination of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense
Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense
The Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence , usually known by its acronym KYSEA , is the supreme decision-making body on issues of foreign policy and national defence of Greece. It was established in 1986 by initiative of then-Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou...
(KYSEA) and the new Economic & Social Policy Committee.
Early life
Pangalos was born in EleusinaEleusina
Eleusina is a town and municipality in West Attica, Greece. It is situated about 18 km northwest from the centre of Athens. It is located in the Thriasian Plain, at the northernmost end of the Saronic Gulf. It is the seat of administration of West Attica regional unit...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. He is the grandson of General and 1926 dictator Theodoros Pangalos
Theodoros Pangalos (general)
Major General Theodoros Pangalos was a Greek soldier and politician. A distinguished staff officer and an ardent Venizelist and anti-royalist, Pangalos played a leading role in the September 1922 revolt that deposed King Constantine I and in the establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic...
.
Pangalos was member of the left-wing Lambrakis Youth and, in 1964, a candidate for the Hellenic Parliament
Hellenic Parliament
The Hellenic Parliament , also the Parliament of the Hellenes, is the Parliament of Greece, located in the Parliament House , overlooking Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece....
with the United Democratic Left
United Democratic Left
The United Democratic Left was a political party in Greece, active mostly before the Greek military junta of 1967-1974.-Foundation:...
(EDA). Pangalos opposed the 1967 military dictatorship
Greek military junta of 1967-1974
The Greek military junta of 1967–1974, alternatively "The Regime of the Colonels" , or in Greece "The Junta", and "The Seven Years" are terms used to refer to a series of right-wing military governments that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974...
, and was deprived by the junta of his Greek citizenship in 1968.
Political career and controversy
He became a member of the Communist Party of GreeceCommunist Party of Greece
Founded in 1918, the Communist Party of Greece , better known by its acronym, ΚΚΕ , is the oldest party on the Greek political scene.- Foundation :...
, rising to its Central Committee, before eventually joining the PASOK
Panhellenic Socialist Movement
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement , known mostly by its acronym PASOK , is one of the two major political parties in Greece. Founded on 3 September 1974 by Andreas Papandreou, in 1981 PASOK became Greece's first social democratic party to win a majority in parliament.The party is a socialist party...
socialist party during the Metapolitefsi
Metapolitefsi
The Metapolitefsi was a period in Greek history after the fall of the Greek military junta of 1967–1974 that includes the transitional period from the fall of the dictatorship to the Greek legislative elections of 1974 and the democratic period immediately after these elections.The long...
. He was elected for the first time as a MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
in the 1981 general election
Greek legislative election, 1981
The Greek legislative election held on 18 October 1981 marked a new era in the modern history of Greece.Panhellenic Socialist Movement , led by Andreas Papandreou, faced New Democracy, led by Georgios Rallis. Papandreou achieved a landslide and PASOK formed the first socialistic government in the...
with PASOK and has been continuously re-elected since.
1980s
In 1989, he threatened "to turn the [Greek] parliament into Beijing, a reference to the recentTiananmen Square massacre
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the June Fourth Incident in Chinese , were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the People's Republic of China beginning on 15 April 1989...
in the face of a political understanding between the Right and the Left for the formation of government. Ten years later, he described the Greek parliament as being composed of "Kenyan delegates" in reaction to the outcry brought about by his mismanagement of the Öcalan affair.
1990s
In 1996 he was appointed as a Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Greece)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the senior minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, established on 3 April 1833. The current Minister for Foreign Affairs, since 11 November 2011 is the former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas...
and held the post until his resignation in 1999, in the aftermath of the scandal involving the Kurdish nationalist leader, Abdullah Öcalan
Abdullah Öcalan
Abdullah Öcalan , Kurdish founder of the terrorist organization called Kurdistan Workers' Party in 1978.Öcalan was captured in Nairobi and extradited to the Turkish security force, and sentenced to death under Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code, which concerns the formation of armed gangs...
: helped by individual members of the Greek intelligence agencies Öcalan entered Greece illegally and was then deported to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, where he was captured by Turkish agents after leaving the Greek embassy at Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
.
Theodoros Pangalos is famous for his colourful language and his cursory and insolent comments about his political opponents and foreign dignitaries.
In 1997, he described the Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
establishment as "murderers, rapists and thieves" in the midst of disagreements over the Turkish candidacy for entry into the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. Six months earlier, Theodoros Pangalos had, in sharp contrast to his later statements, declared that "Turkey certainly belongs in Europe, as it is a part of European history".
He is also known to regularly express opinions which contradict the official stance of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement
Panhellenic Socialist Movement
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement , known mostly by its acronym PASOK , is one of the two major political parties in Greece. Founded on 3 September 1974 by Andreas Papandreou, in 1981 PASOK became Greece's first social democratic party to win a majority in parliament.The party is a socialist party...
while he has used strong language against numerous politicians including Georgios Alogoskoufis
Georgios Alogoskoufis
George Alogoskoufis is a Professor of Economics at the Athens University of Economics and Business since 1990. He was a member of the Hellenic Parliament from September 1996 till October 2009 and served as Greece's Minister of Economy and Finance from March 2004 till January 2009. During...
, the former Minister for Economy and Finance
Minister for Economy and Finance (Greece)
The Ministry of Finance is a government department responsible for the running of the public finance of the Greek state. The current minister is Evangelos Venizelos, who also holds the post of Deputy Prime Minister of Greece....
with the New Democracy
New Democracy (Greece)
New Democracy is the main centre-right political party and one of the two major parties in Greece. It was founded in 1974 by Konstantinos Karamanlis and formed the first cabinet of the Third Hellenic Republic...
party.
2000s
He was briefly made Minister for Culture
Minister for Culture (Greece)
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is a government department of Greece entrusted with the preservation of the country's cultural heritage, the arts, as well as sports, through the subordinate General Secretariat for Sport...
in 2000, an appointment which was widely criticized, in view of his previous statement that artists who had protested his handling of the Öcalan affair were 'kouradomanges' (turd tough guys). According to the Panhellenic Socialist Movement
Panhellenic Socialist Movement
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement , known mostly by its acronym PASOK , is one of the two major political parties in Greece. Founded on 3 September 1974 by Andreas Papandreou, in 1981 PASOK became Greece's first social democratic party to win a majority in parliament.The party is a socialist party...
-leaning daily newspaper To Vima
To Vima
To Vima is a Greek daily newspaper first published in 1922 by Dimitris Lambrakis, the father of Christos Lambrakis. It is owned by Lambrakis Press Group, a group which also publishes the newspaper Ta Nea, amongst others in its fold of publications...
, Theodoros Pangalos resolved an administrative dispute with a Greek diplomatic official by "punching him to the ground" when the employee in question offered a handshake.
During the financial crisis of 2007–2010 when the nation of Greece entered a massive financial crisis he demanded reparations from Germany for the war crimes committed during World War II instead of the austerity program demanded by EU banks.
In 2010, he angered the Greeks when, with reference to the misappropriation of the Greek state funds as the reason why the country was led to the verge of bankruptcy, he accused disgracefully all of the citizens with the words "Mazi ta fagame" ("We fooled away the money together [government and citizens])".
Pangalos has stated on numerous occasions that he fights Greece's corner at every opporunity.
His year then further detoriated when he was caught stating that Greeks are lazy and Turks are hard workers while on an official visit to Turkey where he was supposed to be promoting Greek banks investing in Turkey. Once again he denied he had made these comments or given an interview to Hurriyet
Hürriyet
-External links:* * ** * *...
and finally accused his accusers of lying. ND spokesman Yiannis Michelakis labeled Panagalos as being “out of control” and called for some action.
Pangalos also said he would sue the Eleftheros Typos
Eleftheros Typos
Eleftheros Typos was a daily newspaper published in Athens, founded in 1983 by the Lilian Voudouri press foundation. Eminent in liberal and conservative circles, it vied for the top sales spot in the eighties, but today trails its left-of-center competitors by a margin, though still retaining its...
newspaper over its report, which labeled him a “liar.” Things than got even worse for Pangalos as the Turkish journalist had actually recorded him making the remarks in question and thus ending the debate.
External links
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