Nikolaos Plastiras

Nikolaos Plastiras
Νικόλαος Πλαστήρας
Nikolaos Plastiras as a colonel, c. 1923
Prime Minister of Greece
In office
1 November 1951 – 11 October 1952
MonarchPaul
Preceded bySophoklis Venizelos
Succeeded byDimitrios Kiousopoulos
In office
15 April 1950 – 21 August 1950
MonarchPaul
Preceded bySophoklis Venizelos
Succeeded bySophoklis Venizelos
In office
3 January 1945 – 9 April 1945
MonarchGeorge II
RegentArchbishop Damaskinos
Preceded byGeorge Papandreou
Succeeded byPetros Voulgaris
Personal details
Born(1883-11-04)4 November 1883
Karditsa, Kingdom of Greece
Died26 July 1953(1953-07-26) (aged 69)
Athens, Kingdom of Greece
Resting placeFirst Cemetery of Athens
Political partyNational Progressive Center Union
ProfessionSoldier
Politician
Signature
Nickname(s)Black Rider
Μαύρος Καβαλάρης
Black Pepper
Kara Biber
Military service
AllegianceKingdom of Greece Kingdom of Greece
Branch/service Hellenic Army
Years of service1904–1924
Rank Lieutenant General
UnitArchipelago Division
Commands5/42 Evzone Regiment
Battles/wars

Nikolaos Plastiras (Greek: Νικόλαος Πλαστήρας; 4 November 1883[1] – 26 July 1953) was a Greek general and politician, who served twice as Prime Minister of Greece. A distinguished soldier known for his personal bravery, he became famous as "The Black Rider" during the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, where he commanded the 5/42 Evzone Regiment. After the Greek defeat in the war, along with other Venizelist officers he launched the 11 September 1922 Revolution that deposed King Constantine I of Greece and his government. The military-led government ruled until January 1924, when power was handed over to an elected National Assembly, which later declared the Second Hellenic Republic. In the interwar period, Plastiras remained a devoted Venizelist and republican. Trying to avert the rise of the royalist People's Party and the restoration of the monarchy, he led two coup attempts in 1933 and 1935, both of which failed, forcing him to exile in France.

During the Axis Occupation of Greece in the Second World War he was the nominal leader of the EDES resistance group, although he remained in exile in Marseilles. After the occupation, he returned to Greece and served as a centrist Prime Minister three times, often in coalition with the Liberal Party. In his last two governments, he tried to heal the rift caused in Greek society by the Greek Civil War, but was unsuccessful.

  1. ^ Note: Greece officially adopted the Gregorian calendar on 16 February 1923 (which became 1 March). All dates prior to that, unless specifically denoted, are Old Style.