List of prime ministers of Greece

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of the heads of government of the modern Greek state, from its establishment during the Greek Revolution to the present day. Although various official and semi-official appellations were used during the early decades of independent statehood, the title of prime minister has been the formal designation of the office at least since 1843. On dates, Greece officially adopted the Gregorian calendar on 16 February 1923 (which became 1 March). All dates prior to that, unless specifically denoted, are Old Style.

Color key[edit]

Party affiliation
  Russian Party   English Party   French Party
  Nationalist Party   New Party   National Committee
  Liberal Party   People's Party   Communist Party
  National Progressive Center Union   Greek Rally   National Radical Union
  Centre Union   Independent   Military (Non-partisan)
Party affiliation (Third Republic)
  New Democracy (ND)   Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)   Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA)

First Hellenic Republic (1822–1833)[edit]

The heads of government of the provisional Greek state during the Greek War of Independence, and the subsequent Hellenic State.

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Party[1] Notes
Took office Left office Time in office
Provisional Administration of Greece (1822–1827)
  Alexandros Mavrokordatos
Αλέξανδρος Μαυροκορδάτος
(1791–1865)
15 January 1822 26 April 1823 1 year, 101 days President of the Executive of 1822. Theodoros Negris held the office of "President of the Ministerial Council".
Petros Mavromichalis
Πέτρος Μαυρομιχάλης
(1765–1848)
26 April 1823 5 January 1824 254 days President of the Executive of 1823 [el].
Georgios Kountouriotis
Γεώργιος Κουντουριώτης
(1782–1858)
6 January 1824 17 April 1826 2 years, 101 days President of the Executive of 1824 [el].
Andreas Zaimis
Ανδρέας Ζαΐμης
(1791–1840)
18 April 1826 26 March 1827 342 days President of the Governmental Commission of Greece (1826) [el].
Vice-gubernatorial Committee of 1827 3 April 1827 20 January 1828 292 days 3 member committee (Georgios Mavromichalis, Ioannis Milaitis, Ioannis Nakos) governing in the name of the designated Governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, until his arrival in Greece.
Hellenic State (1828–1832)
Ioannis Kapodistrias
Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας
(1776–1831)
20 January 1828 27 September 1831 3 years, 250 days Governor of Greece, Head of State and Government. Assassinated on 9 October 1831 (27 September O.S.).
Augustinos Kapodistrias
Αυγουστίνος Καποδίστριας
(1778–1857)
27 September 1831 7 December 1831 1 year, 71 days President of the Administrative Committee of Greece (1831), which also included Ioannis Kolettis and Theodoros Kolokotronis.
Administrative Committee of Greece (1832) 28 March 1832 25 January 1833 302 days 5 member committee

Kingdom of Greece – Wittelsbach dynasty (1833–1862)[edit]

The heads of government during the period of the Wittelsbach dynasty.

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Election Term of office Party Notes
Took office Left office Time in office
Absolute Monarchy (1833–1843)
  Spyridon Trikoupis
Σπυρίδων Τρικούπης
(1788–1873)
25 January 1833 3 April 1833 260 days English Party President of the Ministerial Council.
3 April 1833 12 October 1833
Alexandros Mavrokordatos
Αλέξανδρος Μαυροκορδάτος
(1791–1865)
12 October 1833 31 May 1834 231 days English Party President of the Ministerial Council, resigned due to disagreements with the regency.
Ioannis Kolettis
Ιωάννης Κωλέττης
(1774–1847)
31 May 1834 9 May 1835 343 days French Party President of the Ministerial Council.
Count Josef Ludwig von Armansperg
Κόμης Ιωσήφ Λουδοβίκος Άρμανσπεργκ
(1787–1853)
9 May 1835 2 February 1837 1 year, 269 days Chief Secretary of State.
Ignaz von Rudhart
Ιγνάτιος φον Ρούτχαρτ
(1790–1838)
2 February 1837 8 December 1837 309 days Chief Secretary of State.
King Otto
Βασιλεύς Όθων
(1815–1867)
8 December 1837 24 June 1841 3 years, 198 days Personally supervised the cabinet.
Alexandros Mavrokordatos
Αλέξανδρος Μαυροκορδάτος
(1791–1865)
24 June 1841 10 August 1841 47 days English Party Chief Secretary of State; appointed on 10 February while ambassador to Britain, but returned to Greece and formed government on 24 June.
King Otto
Βασιλεύς Όθων
(1815–1867)
10 August 1841 3 September 1843 2 years, 24 days Personally supervised the cabinet until the 3 September 1843 Revolution.
Constitutional Monarchy (1843–1862)
Andreas Metaxas
Ανδρέας Μεταξάς
(1790–1860)
1843 3 September 1843 12 February 1844 162 days Russian Party Provisional cabinet following the 3 September 1843 Revolution. Elections for the Constitutional Assembly.
Konstantinos Kanaris
Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης
(1790–1877)
12 February 1844 30 March 1844 47 days Russian Party Provisional Cabinet. Adoption of the 1844 Constitution.
Alexandros Mavrokordatos
Αλέξανδρος Μαυροκορδάτος
(1791–1865)
30 March 1844 4 August 1844 127 days English Party Caretaker cabinet for the 1844 elections.
Ioannis Kolettis
Ιωάννης Κωλέττης
(1774–1847)
1844
1847
6 August 1844 5 September 1847 3 years, 30 days French Party Died in office.
Kitsos Tzavelas
Κίτσος Τζαβέλας
(1801–1855)
5 September 1847 12 October 1848 1 year, 37 days French Party Tzavellas was Otto's aide-de-camp and nominated to succeed Kolettis by the King.
Georgios Kountouriotis
Γεώργιος Κουντουριώτης
(1782–1858)
8 March 1848 12 October 1848 218 days French Party Headed joint French Party and Russian Party cabinet.
Konstantinos Kanaris
Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης
(1790–1877)
27 October 1848 14 December 1849 1 year, 48 days Russian Party
Antonios Kriezis
Αντώνιος Κριεζής
(1796–1865)
1850
1853
14 December 1849 16 May 1854 4 years, 153 days English Party Government resigned due to Great Power pressure including the landing of French troops in Piraeus, enforcing Greece's neutrality during the Crimean War.
Alexandros Mavrokordatos
Αλέξανδρος Μαυροκορδάτος
(1791–1865)
16 May 1854 29 September 1855 1 year, 136 days English Party Called the "Occupation Ministry" due to its installment after the landing of French troops.
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
1856 29 September 1855 13 November 1857 2 years, 45 days French Party
Athanasios Miaoulis
Αθανάσιος Μιαούλης
(1815–1867)
1859
1861
13 November 1857 26 May 1862 4 years, 194 days Military Cabinet fell following the 1859 elections. Konstantinos Kanaris failed to form a new cabinet, and Miaoulis resumed his post after him on 29 May 1859.
Gennaios Kolokotronis
Γενναίος Κολοκοτρώνης
(1803–1868)
26 May 1862 11 October 1862 138 days Military Resigned following the deposition of King Otto by the 23 October 1862 Revolution.
Regency (1862–1863)
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
1862 11 October 1862 9 February 1863 121 days Head of Provisional Government. Held elections for the National Assembly.
Aristeidis Moraitinis
Αριστείδης Μωραϊτίνης
(1806–1875)
9 February 1863 11 February 1863 2 days Russian Party President of the National Assembly.
Zinovios Valvis
Ζηνόβιος Βάλβης
(1800–1886)
11 February 1863 25 March 1863 42 days Independent Head of Provisional Government, appointed by the National Assembly.
Diomidis Kyriakos
Διομήδης Κυριακός
(1811–1869)
27 March 1863 29 April 1863 33 days Independent Head of Provisional Government, appointed by the National Assembly.
Benizelos Roufos
Μπενιζέλος Ρούφος
(1795–1868)
29 April 1863 19 June 1863 51 days French Party Head of Provisional Government, appointed by the National Assembly. On 19 June dismissed by the Assembly under Diomidis Kyriakos due to the "Iouniana" clashes, re-assumed government on 21 June until the arrival of King George I.
21 June 1863 18 October 1863

Kingdom of Greece – Glücksburg dynasty (1863–1924)[edit]

The heads of government during the first period of the Glücksburg dynasty.

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Election Term of office Party Notes
Took office Left office Time in office
  Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
25 October 1863 5 March 1864 132 days French Party
Konstantinos Kanaris
Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης
(1790–1877)
5 March 1864 16 April 1864 42 days Russian Party New Constitution adopted.
Zinovios Valvis
Ζηνόβιος Βάλβης
(1800–1886)
16 April 1864 26 July 1864 101 days Independent
Konstantinos Kanaris
Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης
(1790–1877)
26 July 1864 2 March 1865 219 days Russian Party
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
1865 2 March 1865 20 October 1865 232 days Nationalist Party
Epameinondas Deligeorgis
Επαμεινώνδας Δεληγιώργης
(1829–1879)
20 October 1865 3 November 1865 14 days National Committee
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
3 November 1865 6 November 1865 3 days Independent
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
6 November 1865 13 November 1865 7 days Nationalist Party
Epameinondas Deligeorgis
Επαμεινώνδας Δεληγιώργης
(1829–1879)
13 November 1865 28 November 1865 15 days National Committee
Benizelos Roufos
Μπενιζέλος Ρούφος
(1795–1868)
28 November 1865 9 June 1866 193 days Independent
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
9 June 1866 17 December 1866 191 days Independent
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
18 December 1866 20 December 1867 1 year, 2 days Nationalist Party
Aristeidis Moraitinis
Αριστείδης Μωραϊτίνης
(1806–1875)
20 December 1867 25 January 1868 36 days Independent
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
1868 25 January 1868 25 January 1869 1 year Independent
Thrasyvoulos Zaimis
Θρασύβουλος Ζαΐμης
(1829–1880)
1869 25 January 1869 9 July 1870 1 year, 165 days Independent
Epameinondas Deligeorgis
Επαμεινώνδας Δεληγιώργης
(1829–1879)
9 July 1870 3 December 1870 147 days National Committee
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
3 December 1870 28 October 1871 329 days Nationalist Party
Thrasyvoulos Zaimis
Θρασύβουλος Ζαΐμης
(1829–1880)
28 October 1871 25 December 1872 1 year, 58 days Independent
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
1872 25 December 1872 8 July 1872 −170 days Independent
Epameinondas Deligeorgis
Επαμεινώνδας Δεληγιώργης
(1829–1879)
1873 8 July 1872 9 February 1874 1 year, 216 days National Committee
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Δημήτριος Βούλγαρης
(1802–1878)
1874 9 February 1874 27 Aprili 1875 1 year, 77 days Independent
Charilaos Trikoupis
Χαρίλαος Τρικούπης
(1832–1896)
1875 27 April 1875 15 October 1875 171 days New Party Principle of parliamentary majority introduced.
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
15 October 1875 26 November 1876 1 year, 42 days Nationalist Party
Epameinondas Deligeorgis
Επαμεινώνδας Δεληγιώργης
(1829–1879)
26 November 1876 1 December 1876 5 days National Committee
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
1 December 1876 26 February 1877 87 days Nationalist Party
Epameinondas Deligeorgis
(1829–1879)
26 February 1877 19 May 1877 82 days National Committee
Alexandros Koumoundouros
(1817–1883)
19 May 1877 26 May 1877 7 days Nationalist Party
Konstantinos Kanaris
Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης
(1790–1877)
26 May 1877 11 January 1878 230 days Independent Government of national unity
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
11 January 1878 21 October 1878 283 days Nationalist Party
Charilaos Trikoupis
Χαρίλαος Τρικούπης
(1832–1896)
21 October 1878 26 October 1878 5 days New Party
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
1879 26 October 1878 10 March 1880 1 year, 136 days Nationalist Party
Charilaos Trikoupis
Χαρίλαος Τρικούπης
(1832–1896)
10 March 1880 13 October 1880 217 days New Party
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Αλέξανδρος Κουμουνδούρος
(1817–1883)
1881 13 October 1880 3 March 1882 1 year, 141 days Nationalist Party
Charilaos Trikoupis
Χαρίλαος Τρικούπης
(1832–1896)
3 March 1882 19 April 1885 3 years, 47 days New Party
Theodoros Deligiannis
Θεόδωρος Δηλιγιάννης
(1820–1905)
1885 19 April 1885 30 April 1886 1 year, 11 days Nationalist Party
Dimitrios Valvis
Δημήτριος Βάλβης
(1814–1886)
30 April 1886 9 May 1886 9 days Independent
Charilaos Trikoupis
Χαρίλαος Τρικούπης
(1832–1896)
1887 9 May 1886 24 October 1890 4 years, 168 days New Party Three consecutive terms.
Theodoros Deligiannis
Θεόδωρος Δηλιγιάννης
(1820–1905)}}
1890 24 October 1890 18 February 1892 1 year, 117 days Nationalist Party
Konstantinos Konstantopoulos
Κωνσταντίνος Κωνσταντόπουλος
(1832–1910)
1892 10 February 1892 10 June 1892 121 days Nationalist Party
Charilaos Trikoupis
Χαρίλαος Τρικούπης
(1832–1896)
10 June 1892 3 May 1893 327 days New Party Public insolvency declared.
Sotirios Sotiropoulos
Σωτήριος Σωτηρόπουλος
(1831–1898)
3 May 1893 30 October 1893 180 days Independent
Charilaos Trikoupis
Χαρίλαος Τρικούπης
(1832–1896)
30 October 1893 12 January 1895 1 year, 74 days New Party
Nikolaos Deligiannis
Νικόλαος Δηλιγιάννης
(1845–1910)
1895 12 January 1895 31 May 1895 139 days Nationalist Party
Theodoros Deligiannis
Θεόδωρος Δηλιγιάννης
(1820–1905)
31 May 1895 18 April 1897 1 year, 322 days Nationalist Party
Dimitrios Rallis
Δημήτριος Ράλλης
(1844–1921)
18 April 1897 21 September 1897 156 days Independent
Alexandros Zaimis
Αλέξανδρος Ζαΐμης
(1855–1936)
1899 21 September 1897 2 April 1899 1 year, 193 days Independent
Georgios Theotokis
Γεώργιος Θεοτόκης
(1844–1916)
2 April 1899 12 November 1901 2 years, 224 days New Party
Alexandros Zaimis
Αλέξανδρος Ζαΐμης
(1855–1936)
1902 12 November 1901 18 November 1902 1 year, 6 days Independent
Theodoros Deligiannis
Θεόδωρος Δηλιγιάννης
(1820–1905)
24 November 1902 14 June 1903 202 days Nationalist Party
Georgios Theotokis
Γεώργιος Θεοτόκης
(1844–1916)
14 June 1903 28 June 1903 14 days New Party
Dimitrios Rallis
Δημήτριος Ράλλης
(1844–1921)
28 June 1903 6 December 1903 161 days Independent
Georgios Theotokis
Γεώργιος Θεοτόκης
(1844–1916)
6 December 1903 17 December 1904 1 year, 11 days New Party
Theodoros Deligiannis
Θεόδωρος Δηλιγιάννης
(1820–1905)
1905 17 December 1904 9 June 1905 174 days Nationalist Party
Dimitrios Rallis
Δημήτριος Ράλλης
(1844–1921)
9 June 1905 8 December 1905 182 days Independent
Georgios Theotokis
Γεώργιος Θεοτόκης
(1844–1916)
1906 8 December 1905 7 July 1909 3 years, 211 days New Party
Dimitrios Rallis
Δημήτριος Ράλλης
(1844–1921)
7 July 1909 15 August 1909 39 days Independent Goudi coup by the Military League.
Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis
Κυριακούλης Μαυρομιχάλης
(1849–1916)
15 August 1909 18 January 1910 156 days Independent Supervised by the Military League.
Stephanos Dragoumis
Στέφανος Δραγούμης
(1842–1923)
Aug. 1910 18 January 1910 6 October 1910 261 days Independent
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
Nov. 1910
1912
6 October 1910 25 February 1915 4 years, 142 days Liberal Party Two terms (Nov. 1910 and 1912 elections). New Constitution adopted. Resigned after disagreement with King Constantine I.
Dimitrios Gounaris
Δημήτριος Γούναρης
(1866–1922)
May 1915 25 February 1915 10 August 1915 166 days People's Party
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
10 August 1915 24 September 1915 45 days Liberal Party Won May elections, resigned again over disagreement with the king over Greece's entry into World War I. Begin of National Schism.
Alexandros Zaimis
Αλέξανδρος Ζαΐμης
(1855–1936)
24 September 1915 25 October 1915 31 days Independent
Stephanos Skouloudis
Στέφανος Σκουλούδης
(1836–1928)
Dec. 1915 25 October 1915 9 June 1916 228 days Independent
Alexandros Zaimis
Αλέξανδρος Ζαΐμης
(1855–1936)
9 June 1916 3 September 1916 86 days Independent
Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos
Νικόλαος Καλογερόπουλος
(1853–1927)
3 September 1916 27 September 1916 24 days Independent Official "royal" governments, controlling southern Greece. Opposed by "Provisional Government of National Defence".
Spyridon Lambros
Σπυρίδων Λάμπρος
(1851–1919)
27 September 1916 21 April 1917 206 days Independent
Alexandros Zaimis
Αλέξανδρος Ζαΐμης
(1855–1936)
21 Aprili 1917 21 June 1917 61 days Independent
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
26 December 1916 14 June 1917 3 years, 316 days Liberal Party Rival "Provisional Government of National Defence" in Thessaloniki controlling northern Greece, the Aegean Islands and Crete. Recognized by World War I Allies as of 19 December 1916. Entered World War I.
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
14 June 1917 4 November 1920 Liberal Party Abdication of King Constantine after Allied ultimatum. Controlling the entire country, official entry of Greece into World War I.
Dimitrios Rallis
Δημήτριος Ράλλης
(1844–1921)
1920 4 November 1920 24 January 1921 81 days People's Party
Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos
Νικόλαος Καλογερόπουλος
(1853–1927)
24 January 1921 26 March 1921 56 days People's Party
Dimitrios Gounaris
Δημήτριος Γούναρης
(1866–1922)
26 March 1921 3 May 1922 1 year, 38 days People's Party
Nikolaos Stratos
Νικόλαος Στράτος
(1872–1922)
3 May 1922 9 May 1922 6 days People's Party
Petros Protopapadakis
Πέτρος Πρωτοπαπαδάκης
(1860–1922)
9 May 1922 26 August 1922 109 days People's Party
Nikolaos Triantafyllakos
Νικόλαος Τριανταφυλλάκος
(1855–1939)
28 August 1922 16 September 1922 19 days Independent Military revolt after the Asia Minor Catastrophe, led by Colonels Nikolaos Plastiras and Stylianos Gonatas.
Anastasios Charalambis
Αναστάσιος Χαραλάμπης
(1862–1949)
16 September 1922 17 September 1922 1 day Military Lt. General. Prime Minister for one day in absence of Sotirios Krokidas from Athens.
Sotirios Krokidas
Σωτήριος Κροκιδάς
(1852–1924)
17 September 1922 14 November 1922 58 days Independent Law professor. Head of interim government under military supervision. Resigned over Trial of the Six.
Stylianos Gonatas
Στυλιανός Γονατάς
(1876–1966)
1923 14 November 1922 11 January 1924 1 year, 58 days Military Colonel. On 15 January, Plastiras and Gonatas surrendered power to the National Assembly.
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
11 January 1924 6 February 1924 26 days Liberal Party
Georgios Kafantaris
Γεώργιος Καφαντάρης
(1873–1946)
6 February 1924 12 March 1924 35 days Independent

Second Hellenic Republic (1924–1935)[edit]

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Election Term of office Party Notes
Took office Left office Time in office
  Alexandros Papanastasiou
Αλέξανδρος Παπαναστασίου
(1876–1936)
12 March 1924 24 July 1924 134 days Independent Government formed in alliance with Liberal Party. Republic proclaimed on 25 March and confirmed by referendum on 13 April.
Themistoklis Sofoulis
Θεμιστοκλής Σοφούλης
(1862–1949)
24 July 1924 7 October 1924 75 days Liberal Party
Andreas Michalakopoulos
Ανδρέας Μιχαλακόπουλος
(1876–1938)
7 October 1924 26 June 1925 262 days Liberal Party Overthrown by coup.
Theodoros Pangalos
Θεόδωρος Πάγκαλος
(1878–1952)
26 June 1925 19 July 1926 1 year, 23 days Military Lt. General. Established dictatorship.
Athanasios Eftaxias
Αθανάσιος Ευταξίας
(1849–1931)
19 July 1926 23 August 1926 35 days Independent Under Theodoros Pangalos' dictatorship.
Georgios Kondylis
Γεώργιος Κονδύλης
(1879–1936)
26 August 1926 4 December 1926 100 days Military Major General. Overthrew Pangalos, de facto since 23 August, head of caretaker government.
Alexandros Zaimis
Αλέξανδρος Ζαΐμης
(1855–1936)
1926 4 December 1926 17 August 1927 1 year, 213 days Independent Compromise candidate heading "ecumenical government" after no party won parliamentary majority during the November 1926 elections. Passage of the 1927 Constitution.
17 August 1927 8 February 1928
8 February 1928 4 July 1928
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
1928 4 July 1928 7 June 1929 3 years, 327 days Liberal Party Won 1928 elections. Friendship Treaty with Turkey (1930), agrarian reforms.
7 June 1929 16 December 1929
16 December 1929 26 May 1932
Alexandros Papanastasiou
Αλέξανδρος Παπαναστασίου
(1876–1936)
26 May 1932 5 June 1932 10 days Agricultural and Labour Party
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
5 June 1932 4 November 1932 152 days Liberal Party
Panagis Tsaldaris
Παναγής Τσαλδάρης
(1868–1936)
1932 4 November 1932 16 January 1933 73 days People's Party
Eleftherios Venizelos
Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος
(1864–1936)
16 January 1933 6 March 1933 49 days Liberal Party Lost 5 March 1933 elections; outbreak of pro-Venizelist military coup attempt.
Alexandros Othonaios
Αλέξανδρος Οθωναίος
(1879–1970)
6 March 1933 10 March 1933 4 days Military Venizelist Lt. General. Head of military emergency government during the pro-Venizelist military coup attempt.
Panagis Tsaldaris
Παναγής Τσαλδάρης
(1868–1936)
1933
1935
10 March 1933 10 October 1935 2 years, 214 days People's Party After successful suppression of the pro-Venizelist military coup attempt in March 1935, gradual reorientation towards restoration of monarchy. Toppled by Armed Forces coup d'état.

Kingdom of Greece – Glücksburg dynasty restored (1935–1974)[edit]

The heads of government during the second period of the Glücksburg dynasty, including the rival governments during the Second World War and the Civil War, as well as the 1967–74 military regime.

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Election Term of office Political party Notes
Took office Left office Time in office
  Georgios Kondylis
Γεώργιος Κονδύλης
(1879–1936)
10 October 1935 30 November 1935 51 days Military/National Radical Party Lt. General and head of the small National Radical Party. Assumed government with the support of the Armed Forces chiefs, abolished the Republic on 10 October, confirmed by plebiscite. Regent until the return of King George II on 3 November 1935.
Konstantinos Demertzis
Κωνσταντίνος Δεμερτζής
(1876–1936)
1936 30 November 1935 12 April 1936 134 days Independent Professor of Law, elected as a neutral candidate, initially as head of a caretaker government. After the deadlock of the 1936 elections and until his death, head of compromise government.
Ioannis Metaxas
Ιωάννης Μεταξάς
(1871–1941)
13 April 1936 29 January 1941 4 years, 291 days Independent
(ex-Freethinkers' Party)
Retired Lt. General. Vice-president of Demertzis' government. Suspended Parliament and established dictatorship on 4 August 1936.
Alexandros Koryzis
Αλέξανδρος Κορυζής
(1885–1941)
29 January 1941 18 April 1941 79 days Independent Chairman of the Bank of Greece, appointed by King George II as Prime Minister. Committed suicide upon the entrance of the German troops in Athens.
George II
Γεώργιος Β΄
(1890–1947)
18 April 1941 21 April 1941 3 days Independent King George II was de facto Prime Minister after Koryzis' suicide, and while the prospective candidacies of Konstantinos Kotzias, Alexandros Mazarakis-Ainian, and Emmanouil Tsouderos were being discussed; on 20 April, admiral Alexandros Sakellariou was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister with George II as head of government.[2]
Emmanouil Tsouderos
Εμμανουήλ Τσουδερός
(1882–1956)
21 April 1941 14 April 1944 2 years, 359 days Independent Chairman of the Bank of Greece, appointed by King George II. In exile to London and after in Cairo from 23 May 1941.
Collaborationist governments during the occupation by Axis powers (1941–1944)
Georgios Tsolakoglou
Γεώργιος Τσολάκογλου
(1886–1948)
30 April 1941 2 December 1942 1 year, 216 days Military Lt. General. Signed, on his own initiative, the unconditional surrender of the Hellenic Army to the Nazis in April 1941. First head of the collaborationist government under Axis occupation. Resigned over the fiscal exploitation of Greece by the occupying powers.
Konstantinos Logothetopoulos
Κωνσταντίνος Λογοθετόπουλος
(1878–1961)
2 December 1942 7 April 1943 126 days Independent Professor of Medicine. Second head of the collaborationist government under Axis occupation. Dismissed by the Germans as ineffective.
Ioannis Rallis
Ιωάννης Ράλλης
(1878–1946)
7 April 1943 12 October 1944 1 year, 188 days People's Party Third head of the collaborationist government under Axis occupation. Created the Security Battalions, the collaborationist Wehrmacht-equipped paramilitary groups dedicated to the persecution of resistance groups and the support of Nazi occupation troops.
Political Committee of National Liberation ("Mountain Government") (1944)
Evripidis Bakirtzis
Ευριπίδης Μπακιρτζής
(1895–1947)
10 March 1944 18 April 1944 39 days Communist Party Chairmen of the Political Committee of National Liberation (PEEA), a government in EAM-held territories.
Alexandros Svolos
Αλέξανδρος Σβώλος
(1892–1952)
18 April 1944 2 September 1944 137 days Socialist Party
Sophoklis Venizelos
Σοφοκλής Βενιζέλος
(1894–1964)
14 April 1944 26 April 1944 12 days Liberal Party Head of the internationally recognized government-in-exile in Cairo.
Georgios Papandreou
Γεώργιος Παπανδρέου
(1888–1968)
26 April 1944 3 January 1945 252 days Democratic Socialist Party of Greece Head of the internationally recognized government-in-exile in Cairo. Absorbed the PEEA after Lebanon conference in May 1944 and formed government of national unity. Repatriated 18 October 1944. Resigned during the Dekemvriana.
Nikolaos Plastiras
Νικόλαος Πλαστήρας
(1883–1953)
3 January 1945 8 April 1945 95 days Independent
(Liberal-leaning)
Retired Lt. General. A distinguished officer known as "The Black Rider" during the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922.
Petros Voulgaris
Πέτρος Βούλγαρης
(1884–1957)
8 April 1945 11 August 1945 192 days Military Rear Admiral.
11 August 1945 17 October 1945
Archbishop Damaskinos
Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δαμασκηνός
(1891–1949)
17 October 1945 1 November 1945 15 days Independent Archbishop of Athens. Regent and Prime Minister.
Panagiotis Kanellopoulos
Παναγιώτης Κανελλόπουλος
(1902–1986)
1 November 1945 22 November 1945 21 days National Unionist Party
Themistoklis Sofoulis
Θεμιστοκλής Σοφούλης
(1862–1949)
22 November 1945 4 April 1946 133 days Liberal Party
Panagiotis Poulitsas
Παναγιώτης Πουλίτσας
(1881–1968)
4 April 1946 18 April 1946 14 days Independent Senior judge. Interim government.
Konstantinos Tsaldaris
Κωνσταντίνος Τσαλδάρης
(1884–1970)
1946 18 April 1946 2 October 1946 281 days People's Party
2 October 1946 24 January 1947
Dimitrios Maximos
Δημήτριος Μάξιμος
(1873–1955)
24 January 1947 29 August 1947 217 days People's Party Head of coalition government.
Konstantinos Tsaldaris
Κωνσταντίνος Τσαλδάρης
(1884–1970)
29 August 1947 7 September 1947 9 days People's Party
Themistoklis Sofoulis
Θεμιστοκλής Σοφούλης
(1862–1949)
7 September 1947 18 November 1948 1 year, 290 days Liberal Party Four terms, head of coalition governments of all centrist and rightist parties.
18 November 1948 20 January 1949
20 January 1949 14 April 1949
14 April 1949 24 June 1949
Provisional Democratic Government (1947–1950)
Markos Vafeiadis
Μάρκος Βαφειάδης
(1906–1992)
24 December 1947 7 February 1949 1 year, 45 days Communist Party Heads of Provisional Democratic Government, a Communist rival government formed during the Greek Civil War. Defeated and in exile from 28 August 1949.
Nikolaos Zachariadis
Νικόλαος Ζαχαριάδης
(1903–1973)
7 February 1949 3 April 1949 55 days Communist Party
Dimitrios Partsalidis
Δημήτριος Παρτσαλίδης
(1905–1980)
3 April 1949 October 1950 1 year, 5 months Communist Party
Alexandros Diomidis
Αλέξανδρος Διομήδης
(1875–1950)
30 June 1949 6 January 1950 190 days Liberal Party Vice-president of Sofoulis' government, acting since 24 June after his death, head of the coalition government of all centrist and rightist parties.
Ioannis Theotokis
Ιωάννης Θεοτόκης
(1880–1961)
6 January 1950 23 March 1950 76 days People's Party Head of caretaker government.
Sophoklis Venizelos
Σοφοκλής Βενιζέλος
(1894–1964)
1950 23 March 1950 15 April 1950 23 days Liberal Party
Nikolaos Plastiras
Νικόλαος Πλαστήρας
(1883–1953)
15 April 1950 21 August 1950 128 days National Progressive Centre Union
Sophoklis Venizelos
Σοφοκλής Βενιζέλος
(1894–1964)
21 August 1950 13 September 1950 1 year, 67 days Liberal Party
13 September 1950 3 November 1950
3 November 1950 27 October 1951
Nikolaos Plastiras
Νικόλαος Πλαστήρας
(1883–1953)
1951 27 October 1951 11 October 1952 350 days National Progressive Centre Union Tried to heal the rift caused in Greek society by the Greek Civil War.
Dimitrios Kiousopoulos
Δημήτριος Κιουσόπουλος
(1892–1977)
11 October 1952 19 November 1952 39 days Independent Senior Judge. Head of caretaker government.
Alexander Papagos
Αλέξανδρος Παπάγος
(1883–1955)
1952 19 November 1952 4 October 1955 2 years, 319 days Greek Rally Retired Field Marshal, former Commander-in-Chief of the Greek Armed Forces and former Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff. Died in office.
Konstantinos Karamanlis
Κωνσταντίνος Καραμανλής
(1907–1998)
6 October 1955 29 February 1956 2 years, 150 days Greek Rally/National Radical Union
1956 29 February 1956 5 March 1958
Konstantinos Georgakopoulos
Κωνσταντίνος Γεωργακόπουλος
(1890–1978)
5 March 1958 17 May 1958 73 days Independent President of the Hellenic Red Cross and former Minister for National Education. Head of caretaker government.
Konstantinos Karamanlis
Κωνσταντίνος Καραμανλής
(1907–1998)
1958 17 May 1958 20 September 1961 3 years, 126 days National Radical Union
Konstantinos Dovas
Κωνσταντίνος Δόβας
(1898–1973)
20 September 1961 4 November 1961 45 days Independent Retired General and former Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, head of the Royal Household. Head of caretaker government.
Konstantinos Karamanlis
Κωνσταντίνος Καραμανλής
(1907–1998)
1961 4 November 1961 18 June 1963 1 year, 226 days National Radical Union
Panagiotis Pipinelis
Παναγιώτης Πιπινέλης
(1899–1970)
19 June 1963 28 September 1963 101 days National Radical Union
Stylianos Mavromichalis
Στυλιανός Μαυρομιχάλης
(1902–1981)
28 September 1963 8 November 1963 41 days Independent President of the Court of Cassation. Head of caretaker government.
Georgios Papandreou
Γεώργιος Παπανδρέου
(1888–1968)
1963 8 November 1963 31 December 1963 53 days Center Union
Ioannis Paraskevopoulos
Ιωάννης Παρασκευόπουλος
(1900–1984)
31 December 1963 19 February 1964 50 days Independent Vice-chairman of the Bank of Greece. Head of caretaker government.
Georgios Papandreou
Γεώργιος Παπανδρέου
(1888–1968)
1964 19 February 1964 15 July 1965 1 year, 146 days Center Union
Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas
Γεώργιος Αθανασιάδης-Νόβας
(1893–1987)
15 July 1965 20 August 1965 36 days Independent
(ex-Center Union)
Failed to achieve parliamentary confidence during the 1965 Apostasy.
Ilias Tsirimokos
Ηλίας Τσιριμώκος
(1907–1968)
20 August 1965 17 September 1965 28 days Independent
(ex-Center Union)
Stefanos Stefanopoulos
Στέφανος Στεφανόπουλος
(1898–1982)
17 September 1965 22 December 1966 1 year, 96 days Liberal Democratic Center
Ioannis Paraskevopoulos
Ιωάννης Παρασκευόπουλος
(1900–1984)
22 December 1966 3 April 1967 102 days Independent Vice-chairman of the Bank of Greece. Head of caretaker government.
Panagiotis Kanellopoulos
Παναγιώτης Κανελλόπουλος
(1902–1986)
3 April 1967 21 April 1967 18 days National Radical Union Head of caretaker government.
Greek junta (1967–1974)
Constantine Kollias
Κωνσταντίνος Κόλλιας
(1901–1998)
21 April 1967 13 December 1967 236 days Independent Senior Judge. Appointed Prime Minister by the military regime after a compromise between the leader of the Greek junta Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos and King Constantine II.
Georgios Papadopoulos
Γεώργιος Παπαδόπουλος
(1919–1999)
13 December 1967 8 October 1973 5 years, 299 days Military Colonel, leader of the putschist officers and strongman of the military regime. Assumed the office after King Constantine's failed counter-coup on 13 December 1967. Monarchy abolished on 1 June 1973 (confirmed by referendum on 29 July) and presidential republic proclaimed, with himself as President.
Spyros Markezinis
Σπύρος Μαρκεζίνης
(1909–2000)
8 October 1973 25 November 1973 48 days Progressive Party Attempted democratization. Overthrown by hardliners led by Brigadier Dimitrios Ioannidis.
Adamantios Androutsopoulos
Αδαμάντιος Ανδρουτσόπουλος
(1919–2000)
25 November 1973 24 July 1974 241 days Independent Appointed Prime Minister by junta strongman Ioannidis.

Third Hellenic Republic (1974–present)[edit]

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Election Term of office Political party Government
(Coalition)
Notes
Took office Left office Time in office
  Konstantinos G. Karamanlis
Κωνσταντίνος Γ. Καραμανλής
(1907–1998)
24 July 1974 21 November 1974 5 years, 291 days ERE K. G. Karamanlis V (National Unity) [el]
(ΕRΕEK)
Three consecutive terms. Monarchy abolished and parliamentary republic established by referendum on 13 December 1974. New Constitution adopted.
1974 21 November 1974 28 November 1977 New Democracy K. G. Karamanlis VI [el]
1977 28 November 1977 10 May 1980 K. G. Karamanlis VII [el]
Georgios Rallis
Γεώργιος Ράλλης
(1918–2006)
10 May 1980 21 October 1981 1 year, 164 days New Democracy Rallis [el] Succeeded Karamanlis, who had resigned to become President
Andreas Papandreou
Ανδρέας Παπανδρέου
(1919–1996)
1981 21 October 1981 5 June 1985 7 years, 254 days PASOK A. Papandreou I [el] Two consecutive terms. 1986 Constitutional amendment reduces powers of Presidency.
1985 5 June 1985 2 July 1989 A. Papandreou II [el]
Tzannis Tzannetakis
Τζαννής Τζαννετάκης
(1927–2010)
June
1989
2 July 1989 12 October 1989 102 days New Democracy Tzannetakis [el]
(NDSyn)
Head of coalition government with Synaspismos.
Ioannis Grivas
Ιωάννης Γρίβας
(1923–2016)
12 October 1989 23 November 1989 40 days Independent Grivas Caretaker President of the Court of Cassation. Head of caretaker government.
Xenophon Zolotas
Ξενοφών Ζολώτας
(1904–2004)
Nov.
1989
23 November 1989 11 April 1990 139 days Independent Zolotas Coalition
(NDPASOKSyn)
Former Governor of the Bank of Greece. Head of a national unity government.
Konstantinos Mitsotakis
Κωνσταντίνος Μητσοτάκης
(1918–2017)
1990 11 April 1990 13 October 1993 3 years, 185 days New Democracy Mitsotakis [el] Beginning of the Macedonia naming dispute. Resigned due to loss of parliamentary majority.
Andreas Papandreou
Ανδρέας Παπανδρέου
(1919–1996)
1993 13 October 1993 22 January 1996 2 years, 101 days PASOK A. Papandreou III [el] Resigned due to ill health, died shortly afterwards.
Konstantinos Simitis
Κωνσταντίνος Σημίτης
(born 1936)
22 January 1996 25 September 1996 8 years, 48 days PASOK Simitis I [el] Elected by party to substitute for ailing Papandreou. Imia crisis. Won 1996 elections, served for two consecutive terms. 2001 Constitutional amendment.
1996 25 September 1996 13 April 2000 Simitis II [el]
2000 13 April 2000 10 March 2004 Simitis III
Konstantinos A. Karamanlis
Κωνσταντίνος A. Καραμανλής
(born 1956)
2004 10 March 2004 17 September 2007 5 years, 210 days New Democracy K. A. Karamanlis I Two consecutive terms. 2008 Constitutional amendment. 2004 Athens Olympics.
2007 17 September 2007 6 October 2009 K. A. Karamanlis II
George A. Papandreou
Γεώργιος Α. Παπανδρέου
(born 1952)
2009 6 October 2009 11 November 2011 2 years, 36 days PASOK G. Papandreou 2010–2012 debt crisis. Resigned.
Lucas Papademos
Λουκάς Παπαδήμος
(born 1947)
11 November 2011 16 May 2012 187 days Independent Papademos Coalition
(PASOKND
LAOS until 10.2.2012)
National unity government in response to debt crisis.
Panagiotis Pikrammenos
Παναγιώτης Πικραμμένος
(born 1945)
May 2012 16 May 2012 20 June 2012 35 days Independent Pikrammenos Caretaker President of the Council of State. Head of caretaker government after failed coalition formation.
Antonis Samaras
Αντώνης Σαμαράς
(born 1951)
June
2012
20 June 2012 26 January 2015 2 years, 220 days New Democracy Samaras
(NDPASOK
DIMAR until 21.6.2013)
Alexis Tsipras
Αλέξης Τσίπρας
(born 1974)
Jan.
2015
26 January 2015 27 August 2015 213 days SYRIZA Tsipras I
(SYRIZAANELOP)
Elected on anti-austerity platform. Announced the Greek bailout referendum, signed the Third bailout agreement. Resigned due to rebellion of SYRIZA MPs opposing the agreement.
Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou
Βασιλική Θάνου-Χριστοφίλου
(born 1950)
27 August 2015 21 September 2015 25 days Independent Thanou-Christophilou Caretaker President of the Court of Cassation. Head of caretaker government. First female Greek Prime Minister.
Alexis Tsipras
Αλέξης Τσίπρας
(born 1974)
Sep.
2015
21 September 2015 8 July 2019 3 years, 290 days SYRIZA Tsipras II
(SYRIZAANELOP)
Elected after resignation. Parliament approves end to 50 bonus seats, lowers voting age to 17.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Κυριάκος Μητσοτάκης
(born 1968)
2019 8 July 2019 24 May 2023 3 years, 321 days New Democracy K. Mitsotakis I COVID-19 outbreak.
Ioannis Sarmas
Ιωάννης Σαρμάς
(born 1957)
May 2023 25 May 2023 26 June 2023 32 days Independent Sarmas Caretaker President of the Court of Audit. Head of caretaker government.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Κυριάκος Μητσοτάκης
(born 1968)
June 2023 26 June 2023 Incumbent 276 days New Democracy K. Mitsotakis II

Timeline[edit]

1820–1924[edit]

Georgios KafantarisStylianos GonatasSotirios KrokidasAnastasios CharalambisNikolaos TriantafyllakosPetros ProtopapadakisNikolaos StratosSpyridon LambrosNikolaos KalogeropoulosStephanos SkouloudisDimitrios GounarisEleftherios VenizelosStephanos DragoumisKyriakoulis MavromichalisGeorgios TheotokisAlexandros ZaimisDimitrios RallisNikolaos DeligiannisSotirios SotiropoulosKonstantinos KonstantopoulosDimitrios ValvisTheodoros DeligiannisCharilaos TrikoupisThrasyvoulos ZaimisEpameinondas DeligeorgisAlexandros KoumoundourosBenizelos RoufosDiomidis KyriakosZinovios ValvisAristeidis MoraitinisGennaios KolokotronisAthanasios MiaoulisDimitrios VoulgarisAntonios KriezisKitsos TzavelasKonstantinos KanarisAndreas MetaxasOtto of GreeceIgnaz von RudhartJosef Ludwig von ArmanspergIoannis KolettisAlexandros MavrokordatosSpyridon TrikoupisAugustinos KapodistriasIoannis KapodistriasGeorgios MavromichalisAndreas ZaimisGeorgios KountouriotisPetros MavromichalisAlexandros Mavrokordatos

1924–present[edit]

Kyriakos MitsotakisIoannis SarmasVassiliki Thanou-ChristophilouAlexis TsiprasAntonis SamarasPanagiotis PikrammenosLucas PapademosGeorge PapandreouKostas KaramanlisKonstantinos SimitisAndreas PapandreouKonstantinos MitsotakisXenophon ZolotasIoannis GrivasTzannis TzannetakisGeorgios RallisKons. KaramanlisAdamantios AndroutsopoulosSpyros MarkezinisGeorgios PapadopoulosConstantine KolliasIoannis ParaskevopoulosIlias TsirimokosGeorgios Athanasiadis-NovasStefanos StefanopoulosStylianos MavromichalisPanagiotis PipinelisKonstantinos DovasKonstantinos GeorgakopoulosKonstantinos KaramanlisAlexandros PapagosDimitrios KiousopoulosIoannis TheotokisAlexandros DiomidisDimitrios PartsalidisNikolaos ZachariadisMarkos VafeiadisDimitrios MaximosKonstantinos TsaldarisPanagiotis PoulitsasThemistoklis SofoulisPanagiotis KanellopoulosArchbishop DamaskinosPetros VoulgarisNikolaos PlastirasGeorgios PapandreouSophoklis VenizelosAlexandros SvolosEvripidis BakirtzisIoannis RallisKonstantinos LogothetopoulosGeorgios TsolakoglouEmmanouil TsouderosGeorge II of GreeceAlexandros KoryzisIoannis MetaxasKonstantinos DemertzisAlexandros OthonaiosPanagis TsaldarisEleftherios VenizelosAlexandros ZaimisGeorgios KondylisAthanasios EftaxiasTheodoros PangalosAndreas MichalakopoulosThemistoklis SophoulisAlexandros Papanastasiou

See also[edit]

Sources[edit]

First Hellenic Republic
Kingdom of Greece

References[edit]

  1. ^ There weren't any formal political parties then. According to Greek historian Grigorios Dafnis : "...it is not possible to talk about parties during the revolutionary period" («Υπό αυτούς τους όρους δεν είναι δυνατό να ομιλούμε περί κομμάτων κατά την περίοδο της επανάστασης και μέχρι της 3ης Σεπτεμβρίου 1843»). «Τα Ελληνικά Πολιτικά Κόμματα 1821–1961» Εκδ. Κάκτος, σελ. 190 (2020) Grigorios Dafnis: "Greek political parties 1821–1961", Athens:Kaktos, p.190
  2. ^ Koliopoulos, Ioannis S. (1976–1977). "Η στρατιωτική και πολιτική κρίση στην Ελλάδα τον Απρίλιο του 1941" [The Military and Political Crisis in Greece in April 1941] (PDF). Μνήμων (in Greek). 6: 53–74. doi:10.12681/mnimon.174.

External links[edit]