Panagiotis Kouroumblis

Panagiotis Kouroumblis
MP
Παναγιώτης Κουρουμπλής
Minister for Health and Social Security
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 January 2015
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Preceded by Makis Voridis
Personal details
Born 2 October 1951
Matsouki, Aetolia-Acarnania, Greece
Political party SYRIZA (2012–present)
Unitary Front (2011–2012)
PASOK (2009–2011)
Spouse(s) Eleni Kotsopoulou
Children two (Katerina, Lefteris)
Profession Lawyer

Panagiotis Kouroumblis (Greek: Παναγιώτης Κουρουμπλής; born 2 October 1951) is a Greek politician of Syriza. On 27 January 2015 he was appointed the Minister for Health and Social Security in the cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.[1]

Blinded at age 10 from the explosion of a German hand-grenade, a remnant of World War II, Kouroumblis took part in a number of student and popular struggles, and eventually became the leader of a "social uprising" of the blind. He is a founding member of the World Blind Union and worked more generally in the areas of children protection, care for the elderly and people with disabilities.[2]

In 1996, Kouroumblis became the first blind Member of the Hellenic Parliament.[2] He was reeelected in 2000 and again in 2009. In 2011, he left Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) to found the anti-austerity Unitary Movement that in 2013 ultimately merged into Syriza.

Following Syriza's victory in the 2015 legislative election, he was appointed Minister for Health and Social Solidarity, becoming the first disabled person to take any public office at the national government level in Greece.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Smith, Helena; Ian Traynor (27 January 2015). "Greek PM Alexis Tsipras unveils cabinet of mavericks and visionaries". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Panagiotis Kouroumplis". Hellenic Parliament. Retrieved 27 January 2015.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Makis Voridis
as Minister for Health		 Minister for Health and Social Security
since 27 January 2015 		Incumbent