Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, considered a “modernizer” in the Greek political class, died on Sunday at the age of 88, public television Ertnews announced.
1 minute
Costas Simitis was one of the founders of Pasok (“Panhellenic Socialist Movement”), the socialist party, created in 1974 just after the fall of the dictatorship of the colonels. He was one of the figures of the Pasok renewal movement. He succeeded Andreas Papandreou, the historic leader of the party, and was Prime Minister from 1996 to 2004. He was notably the architect of Greece’s entry into the euro in 2001.
“ Modernization has no expiration date “, declared Costas Simitis. “ It is a continuous process, based on the values of democracy, justice and constant development of the potential of individuals », he added.
A ” special place in memory and history » from Greece
Costas Simitis had studied law and economics in Germany and England, where he met his future wife with whom he had two daughters.
In a statement on Sunday, the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his sadness after the death of the former Prime Minister, and paid tribute to “ a noble and deserving political adversary who accompanied Greece in its major national stages: entry into the euro zone and the adoption of the euro and the entry of Cyprus into Europe “.
“ A personality, who, undoubtedly, has left his mark on the development of our country over the last few decades “, underlined the Prime Minister, estimating that Costas Simitis holds a “ special place in memory and history » from Greece.
►Also read: The Greek Prime Minister prepares his exit (January 8, 2004)