title: Nikolaos Chountis
text: # Nikolaos Chountis
  
  Nikolaos Chountis (Greek: Νικόλαος Χουντής; born 17 September 1953 in Langadia, Arcadia) is a Greek politician and former Member of the European Parliament, currently serving as General Secretary of the political party Popular Unity.
  
  ## Early life and education
  
  Chountis was born in Langadia, Arcadia. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and with a degree in political science from the Panteion University.
  
  ## Political career
  
  On 15 April 2004, Chountis succeeded Alekos Alavanos in his role as a Member of the European Parliament for Greece. Chountis served until 19 July 2004, following the 2004 European Parliament election. During this period he represented Synaspismos.
  
  Following the 2009 European Parliament election, Chountis was elected as a Syriza Member of European Parliament. He served until 2014 as Syriza's only MEP.
  
  Following the January 2015 Greek legislative election, he was elected a Member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Athens B constituency, representing Syriza. On 27 January 2015, he was appointed by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras as the Alternate Minister of European Affairs in his cabinet.
  
  A member of the Syriza's Left Platform, Hountis was internally opposed to the government's bridge agreement in February. On 13 July 2015, following Tsipras' agreement with the European creditors and well ahead of the parliamentary vote, Hountis resigned from his ministerial office to be replaced by Sia Anagnostopoulou. He also resigned from Parliament and was succeeded by Giorgos Kyritsis.
  
  Succeeding the retired Manolis Glezos on 20 July 2015, he once again became a Member of the European Parliament.
  
  On 26 August 2015, he defected to Popular Unity, alongside 52 other members of Syriza's central committee. He becomes Popular Unity's only MEP.
  
  ## Personal life
  
  Chountis is married to Dr Evmorfia Sagkana.
  
  