| Nikolas FarantourisMEP | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the European Parliament for Greece | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 16 July 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1976-01-28) 28 January 1976 (age 48) Athens, Greece |
| Political party | Syriza |
Nikolas Farantouris (born 28 January 1976) is a Greek academic, lawyer, and politician, currently serving as a member of the European Parliament since 2024.. He is affiliated with the Coalition of the Left (Syriza) party in Greece and he is member of The Left group in the European Parliament.
Early Life and Education
Nikolas Farantouris was born in Athens, Greece. He holds a law degree with honours from the University of Athens and completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, where he earned a Master of Jurisprudence (MJur) and a Doctorate (DPhil) in European Law. He was a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Rotterdam and the University of Dresden.
Academic Career
Nikolas Farantouris is a Jean Monnet Professor of European and Energy Law at the Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus. He is widely recognized as a distinguished academic specializing in EU business law, competition law, energy law, maritime law, environmental protection, and international trade law. He founded and served for more than 10 years as the Director of the international interdisciplinary MSc Program in Energy Strategy, Law & Economics at the University of Piraeus.
He has authored 11 books and monographs and over 50 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and hundreds of articles in newspapers periodical editions. His publications are widely cited and his books published by renowned academic publishers. He has been acknowledged as the “top competition and energy law expert” by World Competition.
Legal and Professional Career
Nikolas Farantouris has been practicing law since 2001. He worked with Legal & Compliance Department of Goldman Sachs in London and with the international law firm Norton Rose LLP in London, Brussels and Athens, specialising in EU law, anti-trust, shipping law, banking law and energy regulation. He has served as the Member of the Board, Head of Legal and Chairman of the Board of the Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) SA and Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee of EUROGAS, the association of energy companies in Europe, contributing to energy policy and market regulation in Europe.
As General Counsel and Chief Legal Adviser of DEPA, Dr. Farantouris played a pivotal role in a landmark international arbitration case before the ICC Arbitration Court in Stockholm. The case involved renegotiating the natural gas supply price with the Turkish energy company BOTAS. Under his leadership, DEPA secured a significant revision of the gas pricing formula based on the weighted average import price in Germany, achieving retroactive compensation of approximately $200 million. The total compensation awarded to DEPA by the court was subsequently paid in full by BOTAS, marking a major victory for the Greek energy sector and setting a precedent in regional energy negotiations.
Political career
Nikolas Farantouris is an active member of the Coalition of the Left (Syriza) party in Greece with a significant political presence. In the national elections of May and June 2023, he was a candidate for MP with SYRIZA in the single-member constituency of Cephalonia islands and Ithaca, where he achieved one of the best scores for his party in Greece.
He ran with SYRIZA in the 2024 European Parliament elections and was successfully elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). In November 2024, Dr. Farantouris was also a candidate for the presidency of SYRIZA, demonstrating his commitment to leadership within the party and its future direction.
As an MEP, Farantouris serves on key committees, including the Committee on Budgets (BUDG), the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) as Co-ordinator, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee of Security and Defence (SEDE) . He is a member of the Inter-parliamentary Delegation for Relations with the United States (D-US) and the Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament (DPAP).
He has been a strong advocate for European federalism, for policies supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), emphasizing the importance of green and digital transitions, climate change action, EU external relations and global dialogue and sustainable economic growth.
He is a Board Member of the influenceable federalist parliamentary forum, Spinelli Group.
EU Parliamentary Activities
Elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2024, D. Farantouris serves on key committees in the European Parliament:
- Committee on Budgets (BUDG): Focuses on the preparation and implementation of the EU budget.
- Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) as coordinator: Addresses institutional matters and treaty revisions.
- Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
- Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE)
- Delegation for Relations with the United States (D-US): Enhances transatlantic relations.
- Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament (DPAP).
In his parliamentary role, Dr. Farantouris has been a vocal advocate for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), emphasizing green and digital transitions, democratic institutions, EU external relations and competence and sustainable economic development.
Publications
Nikolas Farantouris has authored 11 books and monographs and over 50 scientific articles in international pier review journals and periodicals editions focusing on EU law and policy, competition law, energy law and regulation, maritime transport and economic policy.
Key publications include:
- "European Integration and Maritime Transport" (2003) – Published by Bryulat Publishers, this monograph examines the effects of European integration on maritime transport and was awarded the Onassis Prize.
- "Energy Policy, Law & Economics" (2012) – Published by NB, this book addresses EU energy market integration, competition rules, and energy security.
- "Energy, Shipping & Maritime Transport" (2013) – Published by Ant. N. Sakkoulas Publishers, this work analyzes the relationship between energy and maritime transport, focusing on geopolitical and economic dimensions.
- "Energy Networks and Infrastructure" (2014) – Published by NB Publishers, this study discusses the legal, geopolitical, and economic aspects of transnational energy infrastructure.
- "Energy Law" (2016) – Published by Nomiki Vivliothiki, this book explores the legal and regulatory framework of Greece’s energy sector.
In addition to his monographs, Nikolas Farantouris has contributed over 50 articles to peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, furthering academic and policy discussions in his areas of expertise.
He has written over 600 articles, analyses and contributions in leading newspaper and periodicals on contemporary issues.
References
- "Φαραντούρης Νικόλαος". Syriza (in Greek). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- "These are Europe's new MEPs". Politico. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "Books & Publications". Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- "ΣΥΡΙΖΑ: Οι υποψήφιοι για τις ευρωεκλογές – Οι 5 επιλογές Κασσελάκη". Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ (in Greek). 19 April 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- "Ο Νικόλας Φαραντούρης υποψήφιος Πρόεδρος του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ-ΠΣ" (in Greek). Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- "European Integration and Maritime Transport". Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- "Energy Policy, Law & Economics". Jean Monnet Chair in Law & Policies, NB, Athens 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- "Energy, Shipping & Maritime Transport". Jean Monnet Chair in Law & Policies, NB, Athens 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- "Energy Networks and Infrastructure". Jean Monnet Chair in Law & Policies, NB, 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
- "Energy Law". Nomiki Vivliothiki, Athens 2016, p. XΧΙI+352. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
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