The Head of state, politicians, and some of Greece’s most well-known academics gave a final farewell to former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis at his funeral on Thursday.
The President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou; the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis; the President of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis; and three personal friends of Costas Simitis– the former minister and academic, Tasos Giannitsis, and the emeritus professors, Konstantinos Tsoukalas and Yannis Voulgaris, all gave eulogies.
PASOK party president Nikos Androulakis highlighted the former prime minister’s dedication to PASOK in his eulogy, ” PASOK bids farewell to its second historic leader, after Andreas Papandreou,” said Androulakis.”The work of the PASOK governments in the period 1996-2004 was associated with one of the most creative periods of modern Greece.”
“Costas Simitis was the most suitable leader in an era of rapid change and enormous challenges: European integration had entered an irreversible course, while intensifying globalization required a well-developed adaptation plan from nation states, so that their societies would not sink into decline. You belong to the pantheon of great European leaders,” he stated.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed Simitis as a “fighter against dictatorship, a worthy servant of the Republic. A noble opponent, with whom our party met twice. History will weigh his significant journey.”
The Prime Minister stated that Simitis’ legacy will stand on three foundations: “His unwavering faith in European orientation. His way of governing, starring the famous notebook, the notes where the proclamations that were put into practice were methodically recorded. An example of how much importance a leader should give to efficiency. The third quality was that of a politician who, alongside his political duties, found time to read and watch theater. He truly loved the role of husband and father.”
Former minister and academic, Tasos Giannitsis also acknowledged Simitis’ family: “We were lucky that Costas Simitis was at the top of the government at such a critical moment for our country. In addition to the honor we owe him, we are here to support his beloved family. [..] Have a good trip, President, Greece mourns your loss. Have a good trip, Constantine, we bid you farewell with gratitude.”
Academic and political scientist Yannis Voulgaris “Kostas Simitis experienced politics as a risk. The child of left-wing parents, he experienced the turbulent period of the civil war. When expectations brought expectations to the limit of what was possible, Simitis did not submit. He served the PASOK until the end of his life.”
