Stefanos Kasselakis, a 35-year-old entrepreneur hailing from Marousi, Greece, has embarked on a new chapter in his life by stepping into the realm of politics. After pursuing bachelor’s degrees in finance and international relations from the University of Pennsylvania, Kasselakis ventured into various domains, marking his path with noteworthy accomplishments. His journey led him to the United States, where he volunteered for Joe Biden during the Democratic Party primary elections in 2008, demonstrating his early political engagement.
From Finance to Politics
Kasselakis honed his financial acumen while working at esteemed institutions like Goldman Sachs and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Subsequently, he charted his entrepreneurial course by founding SwiftBulk, a shipping company with operations in New York City, Athens, Greece, and London, United Kingdom. However, one distinctive aspect of Kasselakis’s life is his openness about his sexual orientation – he identifies as an openly gay man.
Advocating for LGBTQ Rights
With his newfound role in politics, Kasselakis has been using his platform to advocate for LGBTQ rights in Greece. He has been a vocal proponent of legalizing same-sex marriage, contributing to the ongoing discussions surrounding LGBTQ equality in the country.
Elected as President of Syriza
On a significant note, Kasselakis made headlines on Sunday, September 24, by securing the presidency of Syriza, a prominent left-wing political party in Greece. In a second-round of voting, he emerged victorious with an impressive 56 percent of total votes, defeating his opponent, Effie Achtsioglou. Syriza holds a formidable position as the second-largest party in the Hellenic Parliament, and given Kasselakis’s newfound leadership, he is poised to play a pivotal role in the political landscape. This development positions him as a strong contender for the role of Prime Minister in the near future, succeeding former chairman Alexis Tsipras, who served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 2015 to 2019.
Stefanos Kasselakis’s journey from entrepreneurship to political leadership showcases not only his versatility but also his dedication to advocating for LGBTQ rights in Greece, marking a significant step forward in the country’s political landscape. As he assumes his role as the president of Syriza, all eyes are on Kasselakis, watching for the impact he will make in the realm of Greek politics, especially concerning issues of LGBTQ equality and representation.
