Tsipras

Alexis Tsipras (born 28 July 1974) is a Greek politician who served as prime minister of Greece from January to August 2015 and again from September 2015 to July 2019. He is a leading figure in Syriza, the Coalition of the Radical Left, a party that rose to prominence during the Greek government-debt crisis.

Born in Athens, Tsipras studied civil engineering at the National Technical University of Athens and worked as an engineer before entering politics. He became a prominent member and leader within Syriza, a coalition of left-wing groups formed to oppose austerity measures and advocate for social welfare.

Tsipras’s premiership coincided with Greece’s debt crisis and negotiations with international creditors. In July 2015, he called a referendum on the bailout terms, asking the public to vote on proposals from lenders. The referendum resulted in a “No” vote, but after intense negotiations Greece agreed to a new bailout under terms different from those rejected by the public. Tsipras resigned as prime minister in August 2015 and led Syriza into snap elections in September 2015, in which his party won and formed a renewed government.

During and after his terms, Tsipras prioritized resisting further austerity while implementing measures required by the bailout framework. In the 2019 elections, Syriza was defeated by the New Democracy party, and Tsipras remained a central figure in Greek politics as a longtime leader of the party. His tenure is often noted for its role in shaping Greece’s approach to the financial crisis and its aftermath.