Costas Simitis, a former prime minister of Greece, passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Corinth, Greece, at the age of 88. The hospital's director confirmed his death but did not provide a cause. The Greek government has declared four days of national mourning, and Mr. Simitis will be honored with a state burial.
Mr. Simitis, known for his low-key political style, was a proponent of capitalism and had a more favorable view of the United States compared to some of his predecessors. He served two consecutive terms as prime minister, marking the longest continuous tenure of any modern Greek leader, although his predecessor, Andreas Papandreou, had a longer total time in office over three separate terms.
His leadership coincided with Greece's entry into the eurozone in 2001 and the hosting of the 2004 Summer Olympics, events that initially inspired national pride and optimism. However, these developments contributed to a significant debt crisis that raised concerns about Greece's membership in the European Union and led to a broader eurozone crisis.
The 2004 Olympics, held shortly after Mr. Simitis left office, incurred costs that exceeded initial estimates, further exacerbating Greece's financial situation. The European Commission later criticized Athens for allegedly falsifying economic data to qualify for euro membership, setting the stage for years of economic turmoil and austerity measures.
Mr. Simitis, a trained economist and lawyer, defended his record, asserting that Greece was not solely to blame for the debt crisis. He attributed fiscal mismanagement to the conservative New Democracy party that succeeded him, which he claimed displayed "criminal indifference" towards public debt reduction.
Born on June 23, 1936, in Piraeus, Greece, Mr. Simitis was educated in West Germany and London. He fled Greece during the military junta from 1967 to 1974 and was a founding member of the Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). He became prime minister in 1996 after the resignation of Andreas Papandreou.
During his tenure, Mr. Simitis faced various challenges, including a dispute with Turkey that affected his popularity. He sought to reduce Greece's public spending and stabilize the economy, achieving some success in meeting European Union targets for eurozone entry.
Despite winning a second term in 2000, Mr. Simitis's government faced increasing challenges, including the emergence of the November 17 urban terrorist group. He announced his resignation as PASOK chairman in 2004, following his party's defeat in the elections.
Mr. Simitis is survived by his wife, Daphne, and their two daughters. His legacy remains a topic of discussion, with assessments highlighting both his contributions to Greece's modernization and the subsequent financial crises that unfolded during and after his time in office.