politician Member of the Hellenic Parliament
Petalotis graduated from the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He continued his studies in the Law School of the Democritus University of Thrace, obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy in Penal and Criminal Science. He completed his academic studies in the University of Heidelberg, Germany, with a Major of Sciences in Legal Terminology, Language and Culture.
Under the former Greek prime minister George Papandreou he served as government spokesman and as Deputy Minister for Justice, Transparency and Human Rights. Professional career
He remained active until 2002, when he quit his position to undertake responsibilities in the coordinating committee of the plenary of presidents of the bar associations of Greece. In 2005, he was re-elected as a president of the bar association of the Rhodope Prefecture.
Petalotis was the first correspondent of the Greek Council for Refugees, in cooperation with the corresponding United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
Political career
After the 2009 election, Petalotis was appointed Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesman. From 17 June 2011 until the May 2012 election, he was Deputy Minister for Justice, Transparency and Human Rights.
On 3 January 2015, it was announced that Petalotis would join former prime minister Papandreou in leaving Panellinion Socialistikon Kinema (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) to found the new Movement of Democratic Socialists. Petalotis and Filippos Sachinidis were appointed the media representatives of the new party.
In 2007, Petalotis was elected on the list of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Panellinion Socialistikon Kinema (Panhellenic Socialist Movement)) to represent the Rhodope constituency in the Hellenic Parliament.
In 1993, Petalotis became a member of the bar association of the Rhodope Prefecture, and was elected as the body"s president in 1998.
