Andreas Christou

Christou was born in Limassol in 1948. He graduated from Laniteion Gymnasium. He studied mechanical engineering in Moscow^[1] and was actively involved in the Cypriot Students and Youth Movement. He worked as a mechanical engineer and later on as a senior manager of a Limassol-based Industrial Corporation.

In the first Municipal Elections, held in 1986, he was elected as a Municipal Councilor. He was also a member of the Sewerage Board of Limassol-Amathus and the Water Board of Limassol.^[2]

In 1991, Christou was elected as a Member of Parliament for AKEL, representing the District of Limassol three times.^[3] During his term as an MP, he served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions and Merit, Chairman of the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Temporary Civil Servants and a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs. From 1991 to 2003, he was a Parliamentary Leader and a member of the National Council.

In March 2003, Christou was appointed Minister of the Interior, remaining in the position until September 2006.^[4][5]

In December 2006, Christou was elected Mayor of Limassol.^[6] He was re-elected for a second term in the 2011 mayoral election, receiving 57% of the vote.^[7]

Christou was involved in the social and cultural life of Limassol as a member of various committees and institutions, as well as participating in glee clubs as a guitar player and serenade singer.