From 27 January to 28 August 2015, he served as the Alternate Minister for Culture in the cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.

[1] Having joined Kathimerini in 1992, Xydakis became arts editor of the newspaper in 1999 and subsequently editor-in-chief from 2003 to 2014.

In the January 2015 election, Xydakis stood as a candidate for the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA).

[2] He was elected MP for the Athens B constituency, and following the formation of a Syriza-led coalition government under Alexis Tsipras, Xydakis was appointed Alternate Minister of Culture in the combined Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs, serving under Aristides Baltas.

The Syriza–ANEL coalition resigned on the 20 August 2015 and remained in office until a caretaker cabinet led by Vassiliki Thanou was appointed.