The Greek government, a coalition of New Democracy, PASOK and Democratic Left parties, named their new Finance Minister, Vassilios Rapanos. He will carry a crucial portfolio, and as a resultĀ international media are reporting on his professional profile today.
Some describe him as Lucas Papademos’ alter ego as he has worked for several years for some big Greek banks including the National Bank.
The 64-year-old economist, born in Kos, studied Business Administration at the University of Athens and earned his master’s and PhD degree at the University of Canada.
During his studies in Greece, Rapanos was involved in the left-wing resistance group that staged bomb attacks against officials of the military junta that ruled the country between 1967 and 1974. He was arrested in 1969 by the secret police and sentenced to a four-year prison term on Egina, Korydallos and Thessaloniki’s Yedi KuleĀ jails.
“Prison was a university to me,” comments Rapanos on his experience in jail and marks it as “lucky,” since he spent his time reading many books. Released in 1973, he left for Canada to complete his studies specializing in public finances.
Upon his return back to Greece, he worked for theĀ Centre of Planning and Economic ResearchĀ (KEPE) undertaking research on financial issues. In 1992, he was declared Professor at the Athens University.
Mr Rapanos has served asĀ non-executive chairman of National Bank of Greece (NBG) since 2009. In 2000 he was appointed Greece’s representativeĀ on theĀ EU’sĀ monetaryĀ committeeĀ in the run-up toĀ Greece’sĀ entry to the euro.
āHe has some strong views on revenue collection and how to face tax evasion,ā said a colleague of Mr Rapanos at the University of Athens praising Rapanos’ skills.
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