Katerina Sakellaropoulou

Katerina Sakellaropoulou
source
Name	Katerina Sakellaropoulou
Caption	Sakellaropoulou in 2020
Office	President of Greece
Term start	13 March 2020
Predecessor	Prokopis Pavlopoulos
Birth date	30 May 1956
Birth place	Thessaloniki, Kingdom of Greece
Alma mater	University of Athens, Pantheon-Assas University
Party	Independent
Spouse	Pavlos Kotsonis

Katerina Sakellaropoulou is a Greek judge who has served as the President of Greece since March 2020, elected as the first woman to hold the office. Her election by the Hellenic Parliament received broad, cross-party support, reflecting her respected judicial career and perceived political neutrality. Prior to her presidency, she served as the first female president of the Council of State, the country's supreme administrative court.

Early life and education

Born in Thessaloniki in 1956, she is the daughter of Nikolaos Sakellaropoulos, a former judge on the Supreme Court of Greece. She completed her secondary education at the Arsakeio School in Psychiko before studying law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She pursued postgraduate studies in public law and constitutional theory at the Pantheon-Assas University in Paris.

Legal and judicial career

She began her judicial career in 1982, serving as a associate justice in the First Instance Court of Athens. She was appointed to the Council of State in 2000, rising through its ranks due to her expertise in environmental and constitutional law. Her landmark rulings often concerned sensitive issues like the preservation of Natura 2000 sites, the Halkidiki mining controversy, and the refugee crisis on the Aegean islands. In October 2018, she was promoted to Vice-President of the court, and in October 2019, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis nominated her to become its President, a role she assumed that same month.

Presidency

In January 2020, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis proposed her candidacy for the presidency, securing the required supermajority with support from major parties including New Democracy, Syriza, and Movement for Change. She was sworn in on 13 March 2020, succeeding Prokopis Pavlopoulos. Her tenure began at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, requiring her to oversee the swearing-in of new governments under strict health protocols. As head of state, her duties have included representing Greece internationally at events like the 2021 Athens Summit and meetings with leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and King Charles III. She has also presided over the ceremonial aspects of government formation following national elections.

Political positions and public image

Widely regarded as a progressive and consensus-building figure, she has used her platform to advocate for human rights, gender equality, and environmental protection. Her speeches often emphasize the rule of law, social cohesion, and the protection of minority rights, including the Muslim minority in Thrace and the LGBT community. She has been a vocal supporter of Greece's cultural heritage and modern creative industries, frequently attending events at the National Theatre of Greece and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. Her non-partisan profile and legal acumen have maintained high public approval ratings throughout her term.

Personal life

She is married to lawyer and academic Pavlos Kotsonis, with whom she has one son. An avid reader and classical music enthusiast, she is also known for her interest in modern Greek literature and poetry. She maintains a relatively private life, with the presidential residence at the Presidential Mansion serving as her official home.

Category:Presidents of Greece Category:Greek judges Category:1956 births Category:Living people