Ioannis Rallis

Ioannis Rallis (

Rallis was the son of former Greek Prime Minister Dimitrios Rallis, and he came from a family with a long tradition in political leadership. He studied law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as in France and Germany. Upon his return to Greece he became a lawyer. In 1905, he was elected as a member of parliament for the first time; he remained in parliament until 1936, when democracy was abolished in Greece by the 4th of August Regime of Ioannis Metaxas.

Political career

Rallis originally belonged to the Greek conservative and monarchist People's Party. As a member of this party he served in various administrations as:

• Minister of the Navy (4 November 1920 – 24 January 1921). Under Prime Minister Dimitrios Rallis, his father.
• Minister of Economics (August 26, 1921 – March 2, 1922). Under Prime Minister Dimitrios Gounaris.
• Minister of Foreign Affairs (November 4, 1932 – January 16, 1933). Under Prime Minister Panagis Tsaldaris.

After the victory of the People's Party in

Greece was in a time of great political instability and new elections were held, the

Rallis changed the ministry council and was instrumental in creating the so-called "Security Battalions"—collaborationist paramilitary groups equipped by the Wehrmacht and dedicated to the persecution of resistance groups (mainly ELAS). Being more experienced in politics than his predecessors, a general and a German-speaking doctor, he was more respected by the Germans and proved more effective against the resistance movements.^[2]

Greek collaborators

All three administrators during the occupation (

After the liberation of Greece, Rallis was sentenced to life imprisonment for collaboration and treason. He died in prison in 1946.

Personal life

Ioannis Rallis's son Georgios Rallis became prime minister during 1980–1981. In 1947, Georgios published a book entitled Ioannis Rallis Speaks from the Grave, which consisted of a remorseful text written by his father during his imprisonment. A womanizer, during his tenure as Quisling prime minister he had an affair with stage actress Eleni Papadaki. His relationship caused sensation in the Athens of the time, fueled by the antagonist left-wing press.^[5]

See also

• List of foreign ministers of Greece

Notes

References

• Georgios Ghikas, Encyclopedia Πάπυρος-Larousse-Britannica, vol. 51, entry Ioannis Rallis, Athens: Πάπυρος, 1992.
• Mark Mazower, Inside Hitler's Greece. The Experience of Occupation, 1941-44.(Greek translation), Athens: Αλεξάνδρεια, 1994(1993).