Costas Simitis, former Greek PM who led Greece into the eurozone, dies at 88

Athens, January 5, 2025 - Costas Simitis, the former Greek prime minister who played a key role in Greece’s adoption of the euro and modernized its economy, has died at the age of 88.

Simitis led Greece’s socialist PASOK party and served as prime minister from 1996 to 2004. His time in office was defined by major reforms, including Greece’s entry into the eurozone in 2001, which firmly positioned the country within the European Union’s economic framework.

A reformer’s vision

Simitis, a founding member of PASOK after the end of the military dictatorship in 1974, was known for his calm and pragmatic style. He took over as party leader in 1996, succeeding Andreas Papandreou.

His leadership focused on privatizations, fiscal stability, and improving infrastructure, including major projects like the Athens Metro.

Winning a second term in 2000, Simitis prioritized aligning Greece with European standards, aiming for long-term growth and stability.