Constantin Kokkinos

Constantin
Kokkinos

ABOUT ME

MY PATH

Before settling in Switzerland, I cruised around the world and broadened my horizons by spending years in several countries and acquainting myself with a variety of different cultures.

Born in 1958, I grew up in Greece, and then lived in France, Germany, England and the United States. I am married to Elisabeth Kokkinos-Cavigelli, and we have two children born in 1988 and 1991 respectively.

I have been working as an attorney for the last 30 years, providing legal services to an international clientele predominantly from the private and corporate sector. Throughout that time, I have been advocating for an open Switzerland and defending the position of Swiss citizens abroad.

Wherever I have lived, I have always been involved in the local Swiss expat community. Indeed, I am honored to have continuously been elected president of the Swiss Community Society in Athens for over 28 years in a row.

I am constantly looking to broaden my horizons by traveling around the world, and enjoy meeting interesting people while exploring different cultures and ways of living.

Back home, I like simple things like wine tasting, movies, French chansons and classic Volvos.

ABOUT ME

PROFESSIONAL

I studied law in California (UC Berkeley, Business and American Law), France (Aix-en Provence, Maitrise in International Law), Germany (Tübingen, European Law) and England (Exeter, European Competition Law).

My first professional destination was London, though I soon moved to Switzerland to become part of the board of a Swissair group airline. It was at this point that I decided to dedicate myself to justice as a lawyer, and was quickly admitted to the Geneva bar and registered in the local cantonal attorney’s register.

I am also entitled to appear before the Supreme Court of Greece in Athens. Moreover, I was a founding member of the Global Justice Networks (Ireland) and now hold a position in the Executive Committee of the GJN-Network (Zug). Additionally, I hold ha seat on the board of directors of Matterhorn AG (USM group) and have had the privilege to hold several conferences on cross border litigation at the prestigious Columbia Law School in the US.

Furthermore, I served on the Board of Directors of Balair-CTA Europe AG (Swissair-Group), Swissport Hellas AG (Swissport International AG) and Silicon Graphics AG (SGI, a Nasdaq listed company).

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

From an early age, I was always interested in community life. At school, I was elected class president multiple times, a position that suited my character and gave me a first experience of leadership and teamwork.

Nowadays, I very often deal with issues that relating to Swiss citizens living abroad, and have initiated several interventions in connection to the Swiss Military Service, E-Voting and bank accounts for Swiss expats.

I have been elected as a delegate to the Organization of the Swiss Abroad (“Parliament of the fifth Switzerland”) for several years running. As part of this role, I defend the interests of Swiss citizens who live outside their home country.

Additional activities:

Participation in the organization of the international section of the Christian Democratic Party (CVP, PDC). Co-chairman of the party’s Swiss abroad section.
Member of the political party Die Mitte (Center), section Zurich in the district 6-10.
Candidate for the National Council (Federal Parliament) 2023 with Die Mitte from the Canton of Zurich.
Head of the OSA working group "Swiss Abroad Direct Parliamentary Representation", consisting of Swiss in France, England, USA, and South America.
Member of the OSA working groups for lobbying and communication and for regulations and legal form.
Active member of the movement for the foremost positioning of the four national Swiss languages vis-à-vis other tongues.
Secretary of the Swiss Interparliamentary Friendship Group with Greece.
Active in support of town twinning between Swiss and European cities with similar interests.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

30+ years at the service of Swiss citizens abroad.

Like numerous other Swiss citizens abroad, I spend a lot of time in Switzerland as well as in my other home country.

As president of the New Helvetic Association (Swiss Club) Athens since 1996, I have had many opportunities to deal with the issues of Swiss citizens abroad, all the while representing the interests of our club as well as upholding Switzerland’s image overseas.

I have always been happy to promote and, with the help of the club committee, organize social and cultural events as well as short trips inside Greece. As far as I am concerned, this type of cultural encounter is incredibly important, as it is the best way for people from different countries and language regions to get to know each other and exchange views.

Similarly, I am honored to be a member of the advisory board of the Swiss Archeological School in Greece, which was chaired in the past by Mr. Pascal Couchepin and currently by Mr. Pascal Broulis. The School is affiliated with the Institut d'archéologie et des sciences de l'Antiquité of the University of Lausanne.

Within the Swiss diaspora in Greece, I am active in social and economic circles and thus often have the opportunity to explicitly support Swiss interests and positions.

VISIONS

Swiss citizens abroad

We Swiss citizens abroad do not define the connection to our home country through our place of residence, but rather through voluntary commitment in the political, social and economic spheres. As a firm believer in direct democracy, I have not missed a single vote in over 25 years and have observed Switzerland’s position and development in relation to the world with real interest.

Switzerland and its place in the world

In comparison to many other countries, Switzerland is relatively well positioned today, though it still needs to cultivate its bilateral and intercultural relationships. It needs to make its voice heard so that its interests are seriously considered when it comes to decision-making in the international community. Switzerland is a part of Europe and it is paramount that it contribute to shaping the continent’s future. As far as I am concerned, the bilateral relationship with the European Union forms the main pillar of Switzerland’s prospective position in the ever-changing European Family. Since I am also a citizen of the European Union (through my Greek roots), I enjoy living in both worlds, but am sensitive to the differences in culture and mentality both north and south of the Alps.

A globetrotter’s path

Through my studies, as well as my vast professional experience at the European Court and other instances in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg, I have developed a good feel for European political processes. Thus, I have a well-founded knowledge of the European institutions where I take satisfaction in representing Switzerland’s interests. Beyond our continent, my travels have brought me far and wide and I have been fortunate enough to do business all over the world, from South America to Japan. This has given me an insight into how the world works and changes, all the while giving me the opportunity to support and defend Switzerland’s particularities and interests.

A vision for the country

Within Switzerland, I believe it is important that social justice be improved and welfare be used to support underprivileged members of the population. Having a family should not be such a problematic endeavor, but rather be incentivized by tax breaks, and farmers should be helped so that they can be competitive with importers from the EU and the world. Innovation, industry and services are the main pillars of Switzerland’s economic wellbeing and they should provide a stable and just environment that benefits everybody.

Rich in culture(s)

The increasing multicultural character of Switzerland is also part of my vision, and has constituted a real enrichment that should be maintained at any price. In terms of foreign languages lessons in schools, the curriculum should unquestionably prioritize our country’s languages. Thus, the diversity of our culture will continue to be reflected in the classroom, an important element that will allow us to preserve our identity and see the Röstigraben as the mere ditch that it is. When I look to the future, I envision a modern, tolerant, efficient and multifaceted Switzerland with a strong national identity, comfortable in Europe yet profoundly independent.