Yiannis Boutaris

Giannis Boutaris (Greek Γιάννης Μπουτάρης, born June 13, 1942 in Thessaloniki ) is the incumbent mayor of Thessaloniki.

Giannis Boutaris grew up as the son of Stelios Boutaris on who ran the family wine company Boutari, studied chemistry at the University of Thessaloniki. After a career as a businessman and winemaker, he gave his estate to his children in 2002 and engaged since volunteers. He is a founding member of the Initiative for Thessaloniki and the small party Drasi. In November 2010 he won the mayoral elections in the second round with 50.2 %, where he was supported by the then main opposition party PASOK, whose member he is not. In January 2011, he took office.

The German news magazine Der Spiegel reported in February 2012 by great success in the rehabilitation of local government and referred to him as " the most extraordinary politicians of Greece".

In an article in the Süddeutsche Zeitung Boutaris was presented as ( ex- ) alcoholics and church critic who has significant problems with it, to reform the corrupt structures and the patronage system in the Municipality of Thessaloniki.