Credited from: LATIMES
ATHENS — Costas Simitis, former prime minister of Greece and a pivotal figure behind the country's accession to the euro, has passed away at the age of 88, as reported by state TV ERT. Simitis was rushed to a hospital in Corinth early on Sunday, arriving unconscious and without a pulse; an autopsy is planned to ascertain the cause of death.
The Greek government has announced a four-day official mourning period, and Simitis will be honored with a state funeral. Tributes from across the political spectrum have poured in, underscoring the respect he commanded. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed condolences in a Facebook post, stating, “I bid farewell to Costas Simitis with sadness and respect. A worthy and noble political opponent.”
Former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos also commemorated Simitis, recalling their collaboration during the organization of the Olympic Games in Athens. He remarked, “He served the country with devotion and a sense of duty,” noting Simitis's commitment to policies that positively impacted many citizens.
Simitis, who co-founded the Socialist PASOK party in 1974, succeeded the party's founding leader, Andreas Papandreou. While Papandreou was known for his charismatic populist approach, Simitis was a pragmatic reformer and a staunch pro-European advocate. His tenure in key positions, including finance minister during a turbulent economic period, saw him implement a strict austerity program to stabilize Greece’s finances, although he faced challenges due to internal party dynamics.
After a period of electoral turbulence, he unexpectedly ascended to the premiership in January 1996, a role he held until 2004. His efforts culminated in Greece joining the Eurozone in 2001, regarded as a hallmark of his leadership. He also facilitated the preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games and major infrastructure projects, including a new airport and multiple subway lines to support the event.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides praised Simitis as “an outstanding leader” who left an indelible mark not only in Greece but also in Cyprus. He praised Simitis for his calm approach and commitment to modernization and reform, in stark contrast to populist tendencies.
Despite his achievements, Simitis faced criticism regarding a controversial debt swap that some claimed obscured the nation's financial realities following its entry into the Eurozone. His administration ultimately weakened due to internal resistance to pension reform initiatives, leading to his decision not to seek re-election in the 2004 elections, just months before the Olympics.
After leaving office, Simitis remained a vocal critic of party policies, particularly during his clashes with the next party leader, George Papandreou, the son of the party’s founder. He left parliament in 2009, having foreseen the financial crisis that would necessitate international intervention by the International Monetary Fund and the European Union in 2010.
Born on June 23, 1936, Simitis was raised in a politically active family, with his father participating in the resistance during the German occupation of Greece. He was educated in law in Germany before earning degrees in economics and politics from the London School of Economics, later becoming a law professor at the University of Athens.
Costas Simitis is survived by his wife of 60 years, Daphne, two daughters, and a granddaughter.
For further details, see the original reports by AP News and Los Angeles Times.