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Electra Rome Dochtsi has made history as the first transgender woman to lead a legally recognized political party in Greece. The 26-year-old from Katerini now co-chairs Volt Greece, the national branch of the pan-European Volt Europa party.
Volt, which operates in over 30 countries, emphasizes cross-border cooperation and progressive policy reform. As part of its mandate, Volt enforces gender-balanced co-leadership, a structure still rare in Greek politics. Dochtsi shares the role with Vangelis Liarras.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Dochtsi stressed Volt’s priorities: economic reform, digital justice, and a progressive stance on migration. “There is no justice in Greece,” she said, citing the slow legal process and high-profile scandals like the Tempi train crash and OPEKEPE fraud. She advocates for a digital justice system, including remote court hearings.
On migration, Dochtsi supports revising EU treaties to allow open borders, paired with equitable distribution of asylum seekers across Europe. “They are seeking better lives, and it would be good if we could offer that,” she said.
Volt Greece, which counts around 250 members, is preparing to run independently in the next national elections. The party was recently targeted by a far-right group at its April congress, highlighting growing polarization in Greek politics.
Dochtsi criticized current opposition leaders as ineffective, claiming Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis faces no credible challenge. “Volt doesn’t engage in toxic opposition,” she said. “We want to change the way politics is done in Europe.”
Despite her historic role, Dochtsi says she has been urged, both inside and outside her party, to conceal her identity as a trans woman. “We treat being trans as if it’s something strange. It’s not,” she said.
While open about her identity and pansexuality, she emphasized Volt is more than an LGBTQ+ platform. “We are a party that fights for LGBTQ+ rights, but we’re not an LGBTQ+ party,” she said, noting the group’s broader legislative agenda includes adoption and surrogacy rights for same-sex couples.
Dochtsi says she views politics not as a career but a calling: “Politics requires a strong stomach, but it also requires passion.”
With information from Newsbeast.gr via 24news.
