Kostas Bakoyannis was Mayor of Athens from 2019 to 2023, having previously served as Governor of Central Greece from 2014 to 2019 and as Mayor of Karpenisi from 2011 to 2014. Born in Athens in 1978, he is the son of esteemed New Democracy politicians Dora and Pavlos Bakoyannis. During his adolescence his father was assassinated by a group of political radicals. This event has a profound impact on him, shaping his commitment to public service. Bakoyannis pursued his education in prestigious institutions, earning degrees from Brown University, Harvard University, and St Antony’s College, Oxford. His political journey reflects his dedication to addressing urban challenges, regional development, and local governance. In this interview with The HPR, Bakoyannis explores the triumphs and challenges that have defined his career, offering insights into his approach to leadership and governance.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Harvard Political Review: Dr. Bakoyannis, what is a moment that you think is reflective of your vision for public service?
Kostas Bakoyannis: I embarked on a journey in local government almost 13 years ago, and I had the honor to serve as mayor of my hometown, Karpenisi, head of a region of Southern Greece, and as mayor of Athens. Having experienced both an urban and a rural context, a small town and a big city, at a local and regional level, I always found satisfaction in moving from theory to practice. To put it differently, from words to deeds. Local government is about working bottom up. It’s about tangible and visible results that could better the daily life of a family, neighborhood, or community, even a little bit. So, I was always very energized when I would see a project completed. It could be something as small as a playground, or it could be something as big as a highway. It didn’t matter as long as it was a step forward.
HPR: As an individual who represents a globalized world, a world that is very interconnected from boundary to boundary, but also as someone who served on a municipal and local level, what do you think of the phrase “think global, act local,” especially when it applies to that local and municipal decision making level?
KB: You won’t be surprised that I’m a big proponent of the action of “think, global act local.” I understand that, for some, it may be cliche. But I do believe that there is a lot of weight to it. Oftentimes, we find ourselves facing international crises that necessitate or demand bottom-up solutions. Take the climate crisis: 75% of CO2 emissions originated in cities. That means that cities have to be at the forefront of any attempt to combat the climate crisis. Take the pandemic: it is in urban environments where the pandemic was most felt, and public health was most at risk. Again, cities were at the forefront of protecting our communities. So yes, I would say that there’s a lot that can be done, as long as we have learned to think both in more than one dimension.
HPR: Greece has experienced economic hardships in recent years and in the past, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. How would you propose addressing these issues surrounding economic recovery and revitalization in Greece?
KB: Well, I’m happy to report that Greece is not just bouncing back; it is bouncing forward. We did indeed go through a period of terrible economic hardship. The worst economic crisis in the history of recorded modern economics in peacetime. That was followed by a refugee crisis. And then, just as we were getting our heads out of the water, a pandemic. However, if you look at the indicators of our economy, you will see that our GDP growth is exceeding Europe’s by far. We are attracting a lot of investment. The country is moving forward with long overdue reforms, modernizing our state and our economy. And as a result, I think that there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future. Overall, I don’t think it would be an exaggeration if I could join those many analysts around the world who call Greece a success story.
HPR: What do you think are some solutions to the climate crisis? Or do you share the sentiment that we have lost the ability to be proactive? What were some of the things that you were doing on the ground in Athens in terms of the climate crisis? Was it, in your view, mitigating the effects of climate change, or was it trying to be preventative, or was it both?
KB: Well, it is about mitigation measures just as much as about adaptation. But before that, it’s about me making one major decision. In our case, this major decision was to climatize all our policies. So whatever decision we made, whether small or big, in whatever direction, had to have the climate at its heart. It could be something as small as a pocket park. That will not change the city, but it could change your neighborhood, or it could be something as big as investing in urban lungs. It is important to agree and reach a consensus on the premise that if we don’t act now, our cities will be unlivable in a few decades.
HPR: Another topic that is connected to climate change and will be more of an issue for many countries all over the world is migration and the swelling numbers of refugees we’re seeing globally. As you know, Greece continues to be at the receiving end of a lot of migrants from all over the Global South. How do we manage migration in a way that we’re able to uphold humanitarian principles and issues regarding human rights while also being effective and pragmatic?
KB: Well, if you look at the numbers, you will see that unlawful immigration has declined in Greece over the past few years. It has to do with the fact that we are invested in our borders. At the same time, we are investing a lot of time and effort in integration. I would say that it’s important not to allow ourselves to be thrown by the sirens of partisanship. It’s important to have a fact-based, data-driven approach that combines the mind and the heart. I think we are close to that in Greece, maybe we’re not one hundred percent there, but we’re very close. But I hope that we will all be able to take the next step together. It’s never just about a national response. It’s about a regional and international response. In this aspect, European coordination is key. Again, progress has been made, but there’s still work to be done.
HPR: Do you see any parallels between the United States’ current conversations regarding immigration along the southern border and conversations that may have existed in Greece or continue to exist?
KB: Not to the same extent. It is true that people oftentimes fear it, but they don’t know. It is equally true, however, that when theory is weaponized for political purposes, then we bring ourselves, we find ourselves on the verge of a crisis. You know, there’s a big lesson in politics, even at the time of social media. We don’t often talk enough about the importance of self-restraint and self-discipline. As [Yuval Noah] Harari, you will know, Harari, the author, I think, very nicely said, “politics is not therapy.” We need to talk — we need to think about what we’re saying, which can’t just be expressing original thoughts.
HPR: Greece sits at a very interesting spot in the world. It is a collision of Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Africa. How do you envision Greece’s role in fostering regional cooperation and addressing some of these crises and problems that we’ve been discussing?
KB: You’re right. Greece is at a crossroads: geographical crossroads, cultural crossroads, and even one could say religious crossroads. But therein lies our strength. We are honest and fair brokers, we’re deep, we’re strongly anchored in the European Union and NATO. We take a relationship with our partners, friends, and allies very seriously. We’re particularly proud of the fact that the Greek-American or American-Greek bilateral relationship is at the best point it has been, I think, ever in our history. However, at the same time, we talk with everyone, and we try to be part of the solution rather than a part of the problem. As we speak, Greece is present in the Gulf in the international efforts to protect shipping against the Houthi rebels. Greece is, at the same time, active and actively contributes to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. So, despite the fact that we are a small, small-medium country, I think one could credibly argue that we punch above our weight, as it were.
HPR: So Greece’s relationship with Israel has evolved. You mentioned humanitarian aid to Gaza. How would you explain those factors driving the evolution of the relationship between the two countries? And what are Greece’s perspectives overall, if you could encapsulate them, on the current war between Israel and Hamas? What are some of your perspectives that might be different from an American perspective?
KB: I have to be very clear, I’m not speaking for the Greek government. What I can say is that we are all pretty much committed to our partnership and our friendship with Israel. It’s important for us politically and economically. At the same time, historically, we retain open diplomatic and friendship channels with our Arab interlocutors. We want to see peace in the Middle East. Of course, we support Israel’s right to protect itself, its right to exist. We were horrified by the terrible October 7 terrorist attacks. At the same time, we hope that there will soon be light at the end of the tunnel and that stability will return. I know that talking about the two-state solution might seem far-fetched right now, but I don’t see another path in the future.
HPR: On shifting topics to more domestic issues in Greece. In February of this year, Greece passed a bill recognizing same-sex marriage, marking a significant step forward for the community and the country. As a prominent political figure, what role do you believe lawmakers and public officials should play in advancing social progress?
KB: It wasn’t just a big step forward for this community, it was a big step forward for all of us. Marriage equality is a question of human rights. So yes, I was very proud that my country moved forward. I’m very proud that we moved forward with this legislation. It was actually long overdue. There is a social reality you cannot hide from. Love is love.
HPR: Of course there’s diversity within religious communities about same-sex marriage, I’m not saying it’s one side or the other. But often in the United States, there has typically been religious reasoning in opposition to same-sex marriage. Is that a similar reality that you see in Greece?
KB: I’m a grandfather of a priest. I know that our church and our faith is one of love, of acceptance, and of forgiveness. A church is for all. A church opens its arms for all of us. So I don’t see why. I don’t see how using the church as a political foil serves any purpose.
HPR: As a leader who has navigated both local and national politics within Greece, what advice would you offer to aspiring young leaders seeking to make a meaningful impact in their community and beyond?
KB: Be prepared to take the risks. Know that no one owes you anything. And make sure that you keep your moral compass at all times.
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