The Greek prime minister who accepted British aid under invasion
When Germany invaded on 6 April 1941, he rejected the German demand that British forces leave Greece.
Alexandros Koryzis was a lawyer, economist, and banker who helped organize state finance and agricultural credit in Greece. He served as an official and minister under Ioannis Metaxas's authoritarian regime, but became prime minister as an administrator rather than a party politician. After Metaxas's death in January 1941, he led the government in accepting British military assistance and resisting the German invasion, binding Greece's war effort to the Allied coalition. He died by suicide on 18 April, as German forces advanced.
Career Timeline
- 1903Joined the National Bank of Greece
- 1915Helped organize the bank's agricultural-credit branch
- 1919–1920Economic adviser in Smyrna and founder of a National Bank branch
- 1925–1928First president of the Autonomous Currant Organization
- 1928–1933Deputy governor of the National Bank of Greece
- 1936–1939Minister of State Hygiene and Welfare
- 1939–1941Governor of the National Bank of Greece
- 1941Prime minister of Greece, also holding foreign affairs and defence portfolios