Washington, Christodoulos Athanasatos

The name of the Republican Federal Member of Parliament, Konstantinou Bilirakis (Gus Bilirakis), who was comfortably re-elected to Florida’s 12th District, is now increasingly vocal about his position US Ambassador to Athensin order to succeed George Tsunis, who is leaving in January 2025.

Despite the fact that the decision does not seem to have been made, circles of Greek-American organizations estimate that a selection of Bilirakis could be a “key” for Greece, in order for Greek-American relations and – above all – contacts with the new Trump administration, to enter to the next level.

THE Konstantinos Bilirakisson of the expatriate Federal Member of Parliament, Michalis Bilirakis, is a person who is a connecting link with three main mechanisms of power in the White House: The Oval Office, the State Department and the National Security Adviser.

“I don’t know if Konstantinos Bilirakis will be the next US Ambassador to Athens. What I do know, however, is that he is currently the most powerful pole among the Greek-Americans elected to Congress. He knows the incoming White House Chief of Staff very well, Susan Wileswho also led Republican Sen. Rick Scott’s Florida campaign, has close ties to Sen. Marco Rubiowho will lead the State Department, as well as White House National Security Adviser-elect Mike Waltz, who is also a Florida Congressman. Also, he is a politician who enjoys the appreciation of Donald Trump, since his campaign does not forget that when the Governor of his State, Ron de Sandys, was a candidate for the nomination, he remained at Trump’s side” the Executive told Director of HALC, Eddy Zemenidis.

In addition, Greek-American sources estimate that, in the same context, Konstantinos Bilirakis will have covered all the “boxes” of an ideal US Ambassador, as Athens would like him: He knows Greek issues perfectly and can at any time pick up the phone and speak directly to the State Department and the White House, something that no other potential candidate.

Of course, in case Mr. Bilirakis is appointed US Ambassador to Athens, another Republican congressional position will automatically have to go to early elections, with the possibility of once again causing temporary dysfunction in advancing their legislative agenda, even if the Democratic Party’s chances of winning a majority in Florida’s 12th District are minimal to unrealistic.