Costas Simitis, the former prime minister of Greece who significantly influenced the country's economic and national identity, has died at the age of 88. His passing was confirmed by the director of a Corinth hospital, Grigoris Karpouzis, though the cause of death has not been disclosed. In response, the Greek government has announced four days of national mourning, and Simitis will be honored with a state burial.
Simitis became prominent during a transformative era for Greece, overseeing the country’s integration into the eurozone and the preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games, which were seen as a return to the nation’s historical roots. Popular among voters, he was known for his pragmatic approach and closer ties with capitalism, distinguishing him from some of his predecessors who leaned more towards leftist ideologies.
His tenure marked the longest unbroken time served by any modern Greek prime minister, outperforming his predecessor Andreas Papandreou, despite the latter's longer cumulative service over three non-consecutive terms. The turnaround in Greece's image and confidence brought by the euro adoption and the Olympic preparations was palpable. However, these developments later spiraled into a severe debt crisis, raising concerns about Greece's sustainability within the European Union and impact on the broader eurozone.
The Olympic Games held shortly after his term concluded in March 2004 were symbolic, showcasing Greece's historical and cultural significance as the birthplace of not only the modern Olympics initiated in 1896 but also the ancient games dating back to 776 B.C.
