The second Hellenic Republic concluded its institutional existence under the presidency of Alexandros Zaimis, who held the office from 1929 until his removal in 1935. Throughout his career, he functioned as a cornerstone of Greek administration, serving as prime minister on six distinct occasions while navigating the volatile political transitions between the monarchist era and the subsequent republican period.
Early Development and Legal Studies
Born in 1855, Zaimis originated from a prominent family with a history of leadership in the Greek War of Independence. He was the son of Thrasyvoulos Zaimis, who had previously served as Prime Minister, and was the grandson of another former Prime Minister, Andreas Zaimis. He completed his education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, subsequently studying law at the University of Heidelberg, as well as attending institutions in Leipzig, Paris, and Berlin.
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Entering politics following the death of his father, he became a member of the Hellenic Parliament in 1885. His career advanced through various ministerial roles, including serving as Minister of the Interior and Minister of Justice under the government of Theodoros Deligiannis. Between 1895 and 1897, he presided as Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, eventually securing his first appointment as Prime Minister in 1897.
Governance in Crete and World War I
In 1906, he assumed the role of High Commissioner of Crete, overseeing a volatile period leading to the island’s de facto union with Greece in 1908. During the instability of World War I, he served as Prime Minister under King Constantine I in 1915 and again in 1917. While personally favoring the Allied cause, his premierships were marked by intense domestic divisions and frequent changes in government control.
Presidential Tenure and Final Years
Following a term as Prime Minister from 1926 to 1928, Zaimis reached the peak of his career in 1929 when he was elected President of the Second Hellenic Republic. He served until 1935, when Georgios Kondylis orchestrated his removal to restore the monarchy. Zaimis died in Vienna in 1936 and was subsequently interred at the First Cemetery of Athens.
Fast facts
- Born: 1855, Athens and Patras
- Died: 15 September 1936, Vienna
- Education: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Highest Office: President of Greece (1929-1935)
- Parliamentary Start: 1885
- Burial Place: First Cemetery of Athens
- Membership: Hellenic Olympic Committee
Questions readers ask
How many times did Alexandros Zaimis serve as Prime Minister?
He served as Prime Minister of Greece on six different occasions.
What happened to his presidency in 1935?
He was removed from office by Georgios Kondylis, who abolished the Republic to restore the monarchy.
