Demetris Christofias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Demetris Christofias
|
|
|---|---|
|
Δημήτρης Χριστόφιας
|
|
Christofias in February 2011
|
|
| 6th President of Cyprus | |
| In office 28 February 2008 – 28 February 2013 |
|
| Preceded by | Tassos Papadopoulos |
| Succeeded by | Nicos Anastasiades |
| 9th President of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 7 June 2001 – 28 February 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Spyros Kyprianou |
| Succeeded by | Marios Garoyian |
| 4th General Secretary of the Progressive Party of Working People | |
| In office 22 April 1988 – 21 February 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Ezekias Papaioannou |
| Succeeded by | Andros Kyprianou |
| Personal details | |
| Born | education (PhD) 29 August 1946 Kato Dikomo, British Cyprus |
| Died | 21 June 2019 (aged 72) Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Resting place | education (PhD) |
| Political party | Progressive Party of Working People |
| Spouses |
Elsie Chiratou
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
|
| Signature |  |
Demetris Christofias (Greek: Δημήτρης Χριστόφιας; born August 29, 1946 – died June 21, 2019) was a Greek Cypriot politician. He served as the sixth President of Cyprus from 2008 to 2013. Before becoming president, he was a leader of the Progressive Party of Working People. He also served as the President of the House of Representatives, which is like the parliament of Cyprus.
When he won the election in 2008, Christofias promised to work on solving the "Cyprus problem." This is a long-standing issue about the division of the island. He also wanted to close the British military bases in Cyprus. During his time as president, he helped increase the minimum wage and pensions for people. However, his plans faced difficulties when the Cypriot banking system had a big financial crisis.
Because of problems with the Cyprus issue and the financial crisis, he decided not to run for president again. Christofias is the only Cypriot president who did not try to get re-elected. He was also the only president of Cyprus to openly say he was an atheist. He was also the only leader with a communist background in the history of Cyprus and the European Union.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Demetris Christofias was born on August 29, 1946, in a village called Kato Dikomo. At that time, Cyprus was under British rule. Since 1974, this area has been controlled by Turkey.
He had a sister who once gave him a kidney to save his life. Christofias finished high school in 1964. After that, he spent five years studying in Moscow, Russia. He earned a special degree called a PhD in history from the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Christofias became involved in politics at a young age. When he was 14, he joined a student organization. At 18, he joined a trade union and the youth branch of the Progressive Party of Working People. This party is often called AKEL.
He quickly moved up in these organizations. In 1977, he became the General Secretary of the youth organization, a top leadership role. In 1982, he joined the Central Committee of AKEL. By 1988, he was elected as the General Secretary of AKEL, becoming the main leader of the party. He held this important position until 2009.
Serving in Parliament
In 1991, Christofias was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives. This is like being a member of parliament. He was re-elected several times.
In 2001, he became the President of the House of Representatives. This means he was in charge of the parliament. He was re-elected to this role in 2006. As the leader of AKEL and the President of the House, he was also part of the National Council. This council gives advice to the President of Cyprus.
Becoming President
In February 2008, Christofias ran for president. He won the election in the second round with 53.37% of the votes. After winning, he promised to restart talks to solve the "Cyprus problem." This problem is about the division of the island into two parts. He also wanted to close the British military bases in Cyprus. He said he wanted to work together for the good of both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
Christofias officially became president on February 28, 2008. He promised that solving the Cyprus problem would be his main goal. Even though he had a communist background, he said he would not change the free market economy of Cyprus.
His first government was a team of different political parties. He started talks with Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the Turkish Cypriots. They discussed reuniting Cyprus as a federal state with two zones. However, these talks faced challenges, especially after new elections in Northern Cyprus.
.jpg)
In July 2011, there was a huge explosion at a naval base in Cyprus. Many people were upset and protested, asking for Christofias to resign. An investigation later blamed him for the incident, but he denied personal responsibility.
During his presidency, Christofias worked hard on the reunification of the island. Even though a full reunification didn't happen, some progress was made. For example, ambulances and workers could cross the border more easily, and trade between the two sides improved.
He also increased the minimum wage and pensions for people. But his social programs were stopped when Cyprus faced a major financial crisis in 2012-2013. The European Union offered help, but it came with strict economic conditions that Christofias did not agree with. He tried to get a loan from Russia and opposed selling off state-owned companies. He also tried to increase taxes on banks that caused the crisis, but the parliament did not support him.
On May 14, 2012, Christofias announced that he would not seek re-election. He left office on February 28, 2013. He remains the only Cypriot president who did not try to get a second term.
Family and Personal Life
Demetris Christofias met his wife, Elsie Chiratou, while he was studying in Moscow. They got married in 1972. They had three children: a son named Christos and two daughters named Marianna and Christina.
Christofias openly said he was an atheist. This was unusual for a political leader in Cyprus, as most people there are Greek Orthodox Christians. Besides his native Greek, he could also speak English and Russian very well.
Death
Demetris Christofias had serious breathing problems and was taken to Nicosia General Hospital on May 20, 2019. He passed away on June 21, 2019, at the age of 72.
Awards and Honours
Christofias received many awards and honours from different countries and organizations during his life:
Austria: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash (2007)
Russia: Medal of Pushkin (2007)- Russia: Order of Friendship (2010)
- Russia: Jubilee Medal "70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (2015)
Greece: Grand Collar of the Order of the Redeemer (2008)- Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Mark (2009)
Cuba: Order of José Martí (2009)
Holy See: Grand Collar of the Order of Pope Pius IX (2010)
Syria: Grand Collar of the Order of the Unity of the Nation (2010)
Ukraine: First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (2011)
Lebanon: Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Cedar (2012)
Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Order pro Merito Melitensi (2012)
Serbia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Republic of Serbia (2013)
Images for kids
-
Demetris Christofias's signature
See also
In Spanish: Dimitris Jristofias para niños
