11 Facts About Stavros Dimas

Stavros Dimas was born in 1941 in the village of Klenia, Corinthia.

Stavros Dimas was elected to the Greek parliament ten consecutive times that year.

Stavros Dimas went on to hold a variety of ministerial and other political positions:.

Stavros Dimas was appointed European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs in March 2004, taking over the role from the previous Greek Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou.

Stavros Dimas emphasised the importance of the Kyoto Protocol, the Natura 2000 project, the REACH directive, and the need to better enforce existing EU environmental legislation.

Stavros Dimas' role was vital especially since the President, Mr Barroso, was ready to disregard the effects on the environment due to the need to improve economic development.

Stavros Dimas led the EU in its tough line on climate change during the first weeks of the new Commission.

Stavros Dimas oversaw the introduction of the EU's emissions trading scheme, that took effect on 1 January 2005, despite emissions reduction plans from Poland, Italy, the Czech Republic and Greece not having been approved on time.

Stavros Dimas sought to include companies operating aircraft under the emissions trading regime.

On 9 December 2014, Prime Minister Samaras announced the candidacy of Stavros Dimas, jointly supported by New Democracy and PASOK, for the Presidency of Greece, which took place in three ballots on 17,23 and 29 December.

Stavros Dimas failed to achieve the necessary votes, forcing the dissolution of parliament.