In brief
Costas Simitis, two-time Greek Prime Minister, known for his role in Greece's eurozone entry and Olympic preparations, has died at the age of 88. The Greek government declared four days of national mourning in his honor.
In a significant loss for Greece, former Prime Minister Costas Simitis passed away at 88 on Sunday in a hospital in Corinth. His death was confirmed by Grigoris Karpouzis, the hospital's director, although no details regarding the cause were shared. In response, the Greek government announced four days of national mourning and plans for a state burial.Simitis, who served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2004, is remembered for his significant contributions that ultimately shaped Greece's modern history. He was particularly known for facilitating Greece's entry into the eurozone and overseeing the preparations for the 2004 Summer Olympics, which returned to Athens, the birthplace of the ancient games.Despite being viewed as more aligned with capitalism and a pro-American stance than previous leaders, Simitis is recognized for fostering national pride and optimism during his time in office. His leadership marked the longest uninterrupted tenure for a modern Greek Prime Minister, although he took office following Andreas Papandreou's non-consecutive terms.However, the ambitious projects of his era also contributed to the economic turmoil that plagued Greece post-2004, raising serious concerns about the nation’s future within the European Union and igniting a wider financial crisis across the eurozone. As Greece reflects on Simitis' legacy, his impact on the nation's trajectory remains a topic of both pride and contention.
