Prominent members of the Greek-American community with close ties to Donald Trump were present at the Capitol for the new U.S. President’s inauguration ceremony in Washington DC on Monday, January 20th. Among the attendees at the historic event was Konstantina Karampatsoli, the only Greek politician at the Trump Inauguration.
Ms. Karampatsoli, a member of the ruling conservative New Democracy (ND) party, traveled to Washington DC after receiving an official invitation to the event from Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis of Florida’s 12th District.
According to sources, the Greek PM informed her party’s Parliamentary Group and the Assembly’s presidency earlier last week about the invitation and her trip for the Trump inauguration.
During her visit, Ms. Karampatsoli also met the new U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, during a reception held in the latter’s honor by the Greek-American community in Washington. The event was also graced by the presence of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Kimberly Guilfoyle is expected to assume her duties as the U.S. Ambassador to Greece by April 2025.
Who Is Konstantina Karampatsoli?
Ms. Karampatsoli was elected Member of Parliament for Evia with the New Democracy party in the June 2023 national elections. She is the first woman to be elected on the New Democracy ticket in the region.
Her parliamentary seat was secured in part due to controversial statements made by Spyros Pneumatikos shortly before the June 2023 elections. Although Mr. Pneumatikos initially won the seat, he resigned following consultations with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Background and Career
Born and raised in Chalkida, Evia, located off the east coast of mainland Greece, Ms. Karampatsoli graduated from the Athens Law School in 1999 and is a mother of one. Her professional career includes serving as a legal advisor to prominent companies and collaborating with the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) as legal counsel.
She has been a member of New Democracy’s political register of executives for 10 years. Ms. Karampatsoli has played a part in the formation of the party’s Justice and Transparency policy.
Cultural and Voluntary Engagements
Actively involved in culture and volunteering, she serves on the boards of charitable organizations such as “Children of the Earth,” artistic societies like “Apollo Mousigetes,” and sports clubs, including the “Zirineio Athletic Club of Kifissia.”