On Monday, 13 July 2026, Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Greek Left Coalition (ELAS), met with the Governor of the North Aegean Region during his visit to Lesvos. According to stonisi.gr, the governor welcomed Tsipras by referring to him as “my student,” recalling the time he taught at the National Technical University of Athens (the Polytechnic) while Tsipras was a student there.
A few seconds later, as Kostas Toumbouris entered the room, the governor smiled and added: “Ah, another one of my students”—drawing laughter from those present and setting a relaxed tone before the substantive discussion began on issues affecting Lesvos and the wider North Aegean region.
During the meeting, Tsipras highlighted several cultural and infrastructure projects launched or planned during SYRIZA’s time in government. As a key example, he cited the restoration of the Valide Mosque in Mytilene—describing it as one of the significant initiatives begun during that period. He also referenced a series of other interventions aimed at upgrading infrastructure across the North Aegean islands. However, he stressed that a major ongoing challenge remains the chronic shortage of personnel needed to staff these facilities.
Tsipras also pointed to the island transport subsidy scheme—the so-called ‘transport equivalent’—as one of the most important reforms implemented for insular Greece under SYRIZA. He credited the late Nektarios Santorinios with conceiving and championing the policy, which sought to lower transportation costs for island residents and businesses. At the same time, Tsipras criticized the current government, saying payments under the scheme have been delayed for years—undermining its effectiveness and placing financial strain on islanders and local enterprises.
Next Stop: Western Lesvos
Immediately following the meeting with the regional governor, Tsipras’s schedule continues at 12:00 with a visit to Western Lesvos. There, he will meet with livestock farmers at the Western Lesvos Municipal Council hall. Thomas Moschos, ELAS’s spokesperson for Agricultural Development, is scheduled to attend the meeting.