After working for 10 years at the OECD in Paris, he returned to Greece in a policy advisory capacity. In 2007, he was elected to the Greek Parliament, and in 2009 to the European Parliament. In October 2009 he was appointed Finance Minister in the newly formed government of George Papandreou. From that position he played a key role in the Greek crisis, negotiating the first bailout with Greece’s European partners and the IMF.
An accomplished professional who has served government at the highest level, he combines policy experience with technical expertise in economics and finance and an in-depth knowledge and understand of European and global policy issues.