Public expenditure and honors of the acting prime minister will be held on funeral of Kostas Simitis, who passed away yesterday morning, at the age of 88. The exodus service will be chanted on Thursday, January 9, at 12 noon, in the Metropolis of Athens. Burial will be in the First Cemetery.

A four-day national mourning was declared by government decision.

A funeral will be delivered by the president of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis.

Due to the national mourning, by decision of the governor of Attica, Nikos Hardaliathe musical and festive events in the Christmas Village of the Region, in the Field of Areos, are cancelled. Also, the concert of the Band of the Armed Forces scheduled for today will not take place.

Kostas Simitis “stamped” indelibly the modern political history of the country. In January 1996, he succeeded Andreas Papandreou as prime minister and won two consecutive elections. Among the milestones of his tenure were the entry of Greece into the Euro Zone and the accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

During his eight years as prime minister, he recorded important steps for the country’s progress. The country’s accession to EMU in 2000 was one of them. The next step is the entry of the country into the euro on January 1, 2002.

In 2003, at the meeting in the Attalos Lodge in Athens, the accession of Cyprus to the European Union was signed.

A few days after assuming his duties, he came face to face with her crisis of the Imians. The events shook the credibility of the government at the time, especially when Costas Simitis thanked the American government from the floor of the Parliament for their catalytic role in de-escalating the tension.

But there are many large projects that changed the image of Greece as during Simitis’s administration the country effectively prepared for the organization of the 2004 Olympic Games. Athens metrothe new airport Eleftherios Venizelosh Attiki Streeth Egnatiah Rio – Antirio bridge they belong to the emblematic projects- stations for the development of the country.

The second prime ministerial term of Kostas Simitis was characterized by austerity measures with the aim of reducing inflation and the national debt as well as efforts to resolve disputes with Turkey and the Cyprus problem.

On January 7, 2004, with the aim of smooth political succession, he announced his resignation from the presidency of PASOK, but remaining prime minister until the end of his second term and the holding of parliamentary elections on March 7, 2004. Completing more than eight years as prime minister and giving the so-called “ring” of the presidency to George Papandreou.

His first interview after leaving the presidency of PASOK and Kostas Simitis’ last TV interview was in 2017 on SKAI.

Last September he was present at the event for the 50th anniversary of PASOK.

Mitsotakis: His legacy continues today, as a common claim, to the demands of the homeland

In his condolence message for Kostas Simitis, Mr. Mitsotakis says: “It is with sadness and respect that I say goodbye to Kostas Simitis. The worthy and noble political opponent. But also the prime minister who accompanied Greece in its great national steps: joining the Eurozone and the Euro and the entry of Cyprus into Europe. A personality which, undoubtedly, leaves its own mark on the evolution of the place, all in the last decades.

Kostas Simitis was a consistent fighter against the dictatorship and, later, a founding member, leader and president of PASOK. An able academic teacher and moderate parliamentary man. Above all, however, a catalyst of public life, which boldly put the great effort of modernizing the country at its center.

“Modernization has no end date,” he believed. “It is a continuous process, based on the values ​​of Democracy, justice and the continuous expansion of the individual’s potential. It is a term with content and political value. A tool for action to change society as long as there is a past that defines the present and prevents adaptation to the future.”

Regardless of political differences, I think that this legacy of his continues today, as a common claim, the demands of the homeland. Something that marks the contribution of Kostas Simitis to it. Allowing him, henceforth, to maintain a special place in memory and History. My sincerest condolences to his wife Daphne, his daughters and his people.”

Four days of national mourning

By decision of the government, the funeral of Kostas Simitis will become a public expense, honors will be paid to the acting Prime Minister and four days of national mourning will be declared, Interior Minister Theodoris Livanios wrote on Facebook.

“Kostas Simitis was a politician, who was twice honored by the Greek people with the office of Prime Minister. He tried, sometimes with great success, sometimes with less, to change the country, responding to the challenges of the times.

A university professor with a rich academic work, a leading figure in the anti-dictatorship struggle, he has behaved with kindness and ethics all these years.

We keep, above all, the two historical achievements, which have his personal stamp: The country’s integration into the Eurozone and the entry of Cyprus into the European Union.

By decision of the Government, his funeral will be a public expense, honors will be given to the acting Prime Minister and four days of national mourning will be declared.

Sincere condolences to his wife, daughters and relatives.”