Nikolas Farantouris

Nikolas Farantouris
Born	(1976-01-28) January 28, 1976 Athens, Greece
Occupation(s)	Scholar, attorney, politician
Years active	2001–present
Known for	Member of the European Parliament (2024–), Jean Monnet Professor in European and Energy Law, leadership roles in Greece’s Public Gas Corporation (DEPA)

Nikolas Farantouris (born 28 January 1976) is a Greek scholar, attorney, and politician currently serving as a member of the European Parliament following the 2024 elections. He represents the Coalition of the Left (Syriza) and affiliates with The Left political group.

Early life and education

Originating from Athens, Farantouris earned his law degree with distinction from the University of Athens. He pursued advanced studies at the University of Oxford, where he obtained both a Master of Jurisprudence (MJur) and a Doctorate (DPhil) specializing in European Law. His postdoctoral research appointments included positions at the University of Rotterdam and the University of Dresden.

Academic career

Currently, Farantouris holds the position of Jean Monnet Professor in European and Energy Law at the University of Piraeus. His academic focus encompasses EU business law, competition law, energy regulation, maritime law, environmental legislation, and international trade law. For over ten years, he established and led the international MSc Program in Energy Strategy, Law & Economics.

He has written 12 books and monographs alongside more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous contributions to periodicals. Recognized by World Competition as a foremost authority in competition and energy law, his scholarship is extensively referenced by academic publishers.

Legal career

Since 2001, Farantouris has been active in legal practice, gaining experience within Goldman Sachs’ Legal & Compliance Department in London as well as at Norton Rose LLP offices located in London, Brussels, and Athens. His areas of expertise include EU legislation, antitrust matters, maritime shipping law, banking regulations, and energy sector governance.

He has held leadership roles such as Board Member, Head of Legal Affairs, and Chairman at Greece’s Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) SA. Additionally, he chaired the Legal Affairs Committee of Eurogas, playing a pivotal role in shaping European energy policies and regulatory frameworks.

During his tenure as DEPA’s General Counsel, he successfully led an ICC Arbitration case against the Turkish firm BOTAS, resulting in renegotiated natural gas pricing terms. This outcome established a new pricing formula linked to Germany’s weighted average import price and secured nearly $200 million in retroactive payments—fully received—marking a significant achievement for Greece’s energy industry and setting an important regional benchmark.

Political career

Nikolas Farantouris maintains an active political role within Greece’s Coalition of the Left (Syriza). In both May and June 2023 national elections, he stood as a parliamentary candidate for the single-member district encompassing Cephalonia islands and Ithaca, attaining one of the highest vote tallies for his party nationally.

He contested the 2024 European Parliament elections under SYRIZA’s banner and was successfully elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). In November 2024, Dr. Farantouris also sought SYRIZA’s presidency, demonstrating his dedication to party leadership and strategic planning.

Within the European Parliament, Farantouris participates on several influential committees: Committee on Budgets (BUDG), Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) where he serves as Co-ordinator, Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), and Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE). He is additionally involved in delegations managing relations with the United States (D-US) and the Pan-African Parliament (DPAP).

His political advocacy centers on advancing European federalism alongside promoting policies beneficial to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He emphasizes initiatives supporting green and digital transformation, climate change mitigation efforts, EU external diplomacy, and sustainable economic development.

Farantouris also holds a board position within the prominent federalist parliamentary organization known as the Spinelli Group.

EU Parliamentary Involvement

Following his election as a Member of the European Parliament in 2024, Dr. Farantouris actively participates in several prominent parliamentary committees:

• Committee on Budgets (BUDG): Responsible for supervising the drafting and execution of the EU budget.
• Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), where he acts as coordinator: Oversees institutional concerns and treaty amendments.
• Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
• Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE)
• Delegation for Relations with the United States (D-US): Focuses on enhancing transatlantic partnerships.
• Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament (DPAP)

Within the European Parliament, Farantouris advocates for policies supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, advancing environmental and digital transformations, strengthening democratic frameworks, promoting EU external diplomacy, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

Publications

Nikolas Farantouris has produced an extensive body of work including 12 books and monographs, alongside more than 50 scholarly articles published in international peer-reviewed journals. His research primarily addresses areas such as European Union law and policy, competition regulation, energy legislation, maritime transport, and economic strategy.

Notable works include:

• "Η Ενεργειακή Κρίση" (2022) – Released by Papazisi Publications, this volume investigates the global energy crisis, analyzing its origins, impacts, and policy measures.
• "Energy & Environmental Transformations in a Globalizing World" (2020) – Published by Nomiki Vivliothiki, this book explores worldwide shifts in energy and environmental sectors, highlighting international cooperation and robust institutional mechanisms for energy security, sustainability, and climate action.
• "Δίκαιο της Ενέργειας" (2016) – A detailed study of Greece’s legal and regulatory energy framework, distributed by Nomiki Vivliothiki.
• "Δίκαιο Υδρογονανθράκων" (2015) – Issued by Jean Monnet Chair in Law & Policies & Max-Planck-Institut für Innovation und Wettbewerb Munich, this publication examines the legal aspects of the hydrocarbon supply chain with an emphasis on commercial, international, and EU law.
• "Ενέργεια: Δίκτυα & Υποδομές" (2014) – Addresses the legal, geopolitical, and economic dimensions of cross-border energy infrastructure; published by NB Publishers.
• "Ενέργεια: Ναυτιλία & Θαλάσσιες Μεταφορές" (2013) – Investigates the connection between energy sectors and maritime transport from geopolitical and economic perspectives; issued by Ant. N. Sakkoulas Publishers.
• "Ενέργεια: Δίκαιο, Οικονομία & Πολιτική" (2012) – Discusses integration of EU energy markets, competition policies, and energy security issues; published by NB Publishers.
• "Ο Έλεγχος των Κρατικών Ενισχύσεων Διάσωσης και Αναδιάρθρωσης Προβληματικών Επιχειρήσεων" (2006) – A monograph focusing on EU state aid regulations related to rescue and restructuring efforts for distressed companies across sectors such as aviation and shipbuilding; published by Ant. N. Sakkoulas Publishers.
• "Merger Control and Antitrust Enforcement in the EU and US: A Comparative Analysis" (2003) – Provides a comparative evaluation of merger control and antitrust enforcement frameworks between Europe and the United States; released by European Papers.
• "European Integration and Maritime Transport" (2003) – Explores how European integration influences maritime transport; recipient of the Onassis Prize; published by Bryulat Publishers.
• "Judicial Aspects of EU Competition Policy in Air Transport" (2002) – Examines application of EU competition law within air transport; published by Esperia Publications.
• "Shipping in Europe and the Emergence of a Common Maritime Transport Policy" (2000) – Analyzes shipping regulatory bodies under EU legislation amid evolving maritime transport policies; published by Ant. N. Sakkoulas Publishers.

In addition to these monographs, Farantouris has contributed over 50 peer-reviewed articles that enrich academic discourse and policymaking. He is also a prolific author of more than 600 opinion pieces and analyses featured in leading newspapers and magazines addressing current affairs.