New EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, born on September 2, 1978, in Thessaloniki, Greece, has served as the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia since January 1, 2013, and was previously the President of the European Committee of the Regions from February 2020 to June 2022.
Tzitzikostas studied International Politics and Diplomacy at Georgetown University and Public Policy and Economics at University College London, later founding and leading a company specializing in organic dairy products.
His political career began with his election to the Hellenic Parliament in 2007, and after losing his seat in 2009, he held various roles, including Deputy Regional Governor of Central Macedonia and Member of the EU Committee of the Regions.
Nominated by the Greek government as the country’s European Commissioner in the von der Leyen Commission II, Tzitzikostas has been a prominent figure in regional and EU politics, known for controversial actions and statements such as his invitation to far right group Golden Dawn to the annual 28 October Ohi Day parade in 2023.
He was named for the expanded commission of Sustainable Transport and Tourism, succeeding Adina-Ioana Vălean from Romania. His portfolio will include the European Rail Traffic Management System, the Galileo positioning system and the Single European Sky.
