Michalis Chrisochoidis was born on October 31, 1955 in Nissi, a town in Imathia, Northern Greece. He comes from a rural family that settled in Greece during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922. He is a Law School graduate from the University of Thessaloniki. He has two sons and one daughter.

With a long history in public service, Chrisochoidis embarked on his legislative duties in 1989 and serves now his ninth term in the Greek Parliament representing the 2nd district of Athens for PASOK. Before entering the Greek Parliament he also served for two years as a Prefect (1987-1989) in Karditsa.

From 1999 to 2003, Chrisochoidis served as Minister of Public Order (Homeland Security). He eradicated domestic terrorism in Greece (2002) in perfect timing before the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. During his tenure, Chrisochoidis blended security with the respect to rights and freedoms in establishing a safe and democratic society. Under his political guidance and supervision, the urban terrorist organization “November 17” was dismantled in an effective and bloodless manner that celebrated the rule of law. Chrisochoidis is considered to be one of the most influential voices on security issues. He led the way for a series of eminent reforms that revamped the Greek Police Corp and resulted in domestic crime rates reaching a historic-low.

In 2003 he was appointed as Secretary General of PASOK. He focused on the party’s organizational restructure and political reform heralded by the new PASOK President George Papandreou, and remained in this position until March 2005.

After the government change-over of October the 4th, 2009, George Papandreou trusted him again with the ever-challenging homeland security agenda, by appointing him Minister of Citizens’ Protection, a position he served and honored with the same commitment he did in his previous government engagement. His 11-month term will be remembered for the re-organization of the Security Agencies, the reduction of domestic crime rates, the dismantlement of the terrorist organization “Revolutionary Struggle”, the successful management of forest fires and an integrated National Action Plan for the Management of Migration Flows.

Following the government reshuffle on September the 7th 2010, Michalis Chrisochoidis was appointed Minister of Regional Development and Competitiveness.

From 1994 to 1999, Chrisochoidis served as deputy Minister of Commerce (1994-1996) and deputy Minister of Development (1996-1999). He focused on prices control, market reform and enhancement of competition. His successful anti-inflation policy contributed to the achievement of Greece becoming a member of the European Monetary Union (EMU).