Costas Simitis, a key figure in Greece’s political landscape, has passed away at 88, leaving behind a significant legacy in European integration.
Corinth: Costas Simitis, the former prime minister of Greece, has died at the age of 88. He was known for leading Greece into the eurozone and was a significant figure in the Socialist PASOK party.
He was taken to a hospital early Sunday from his holiday home near Athens, but sadly, he was unconscious and without a pulse. An autopsy is planned to find out what happened.
Simitis co-founded PASOK in 1974 and later became its leader, succeeding Andreas Papandreou. Their relationship was complicated, with Simitis being more pragmatic compared to Papandreou’s charismatic style.
During tough economic times in the early ’80s, Simitis was appointed finance minister to implement austerity measures. While he helped stabilize the economy, he had to resign in 1987 when Papandreou shifted to a more generous wage policy.
In 1996, after Papandreou stepped down, Simitis became prime minister. He viewed Greece’s entry into the eurozone in 2001 as his biggest achievement, along with securing the 2004 Olympics for Athens.
Despite his successes, he faced criticism for a controversial debt swap after joining the eurozone. His administration weakened due to opposition within his party regarding pension reforms, leading him to resign before the 2004 elections.
After leaving office, he had a falling out with George Papandreou, the son of the party’s founder, and was expelled from the PASOK parliamentary group in 2008. He warned that financial mismanagement would lead Greece to seek help from the IMF, which eventually happened in 2010.
Simitis was born on June 23, 1936, to politically active parents. He studied law and economics in Germany and the UK and later taught at the University of Athens. He is survived by his wife, Daphne, and their two daughters.
