Giorgos Stathakis (Greek: Γιώργος Σταθάκης; born 8 November 1953) is a Greek politician and economist. From 27 January to 28 August 2015, he served as the Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism in the cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.^[1] He has also been a Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Chania since May 2012.^[2]

Stathakis is a professor of political economy at the University of Crete, but has been on leave since being elected as an MP.^[1][3] He was formerly a Vice-Rector of the university.^[4]

Stathakis graduated from the University of Athens in 1976 with degree in economics. He continued his studies, graduating in 1978 with a Master's degree in economics, and in 1983 with a Doctorate in economics, both from Newcastle University. His doctoral thesis was titled: "Industrial Development and the Regional Problem: The Case of Greece".^[3]

Stathakis worked at the Mediterranean Studies Foundation from 1985 to 1986 and at the Computer Technology Institute in Patras from 1986 to 1987. From 1987 to 1988 he worked as a visiting researcher at the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Queens College, City University of New York, and as a visiting scholar from 1992 to 1993 at the Center for European Studies, Harvard University.^[5]

In 1988 he joined the staff at the University of Crete as a lecturer. He became an associate professor in 1992 and in 1997 became a full professor of political economy.^[6] His teaching focuses on Marxist analysis and economic methodology.^[7] Stathakis has also been one of three Vice-Rectors of the University of Crete, but stepped down following the May 2012 legislative election.^[4][8]

Stathakis was first elected as a Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Chania in the May 2012 Greek legislative election. He was re-elected in the June 2012 legislative election and in the January 2015 legislative election.^[2]

Stathakis is reportedly seen as "more market-friendly" than most of his colleagues in Syriza.^[9] Alexis Tsipras has reportedly said that Stathakis is "so valuable that if he didn't exist he would have to be invented".^[7]

Before Syriza came to power following the 2015 legislative election, Stathakis served as the shadow development minister in the Shadow Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.^[9] In an interview with the Financial Times before the 2015 legislative election, Stathakis set out Syriza's plan to crack down on Greek oligarchs if it won the election.^[9]

Following the 2015 legislative election, Stathakis was appointed as the Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism in the cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.^[1]

Stathakis was named as a potential replacement for Yanis Varoufakis after he resigned as Minister for Finance on 6 July 2015, following the resounding 'No' vote in the Greek bailout referendum.^[10] He was later appointed as the economy minister. During his tenure it was revealed that he failed to report thirty-eight properties and €1.8m in his assets declaration of 2011. A parliamentary committee is investigating the revelations.^[11]

Stathakis is married to Themis Gekou and has two children.^[4]

• CV (in Greek) and office terms (in English) of Giorgos Stathakis at the Hellenic Parliament