Dora Bakoyannis

Dora Bakoyannis, born on May sixth, nineteen fifty-four, is a prominent Greek politician and diplomat known for her groundbreaking achievements in public service. She made history as the first female Mayor of Athens, serving from two thousand three to two thousand six, and was the first woman to hold such a position in a city that hosted the Olympic Games.

From two thousand six to two thousand nine, Bakoyannis held the esteemed role of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, marking a significant milestone as the highest position ever occupied by a woman in the Greek Cabinet at that time. In two thousand nine, she also took on the role of Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Earlier in her career, she served as the Minister for Culture of Greece from nineteen ninety-two to nineteen ninety-three. Following her expulsion from the New Democracy party for voting against the party line, she founded the Democratic Alliance in two thousand ten and has since been an independent member of the Hellenic Parliament.

In May two thousand twelve, amidst a critical political climate in Greece, the Democratic Alliance chose to suspend its activities and collaborate with New Democracy based on shared values. Bakoyannis rejoined New Democracy on May twenty-first, two thousand twelve, ahead of the parliamentary elections in June, where she led the state deputies' ballot.