The Greek government has announced four days of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis, with a state funeral planned to honour his legacy.
Simitis died early Sunday at the age of 88 at his vacation home in Agioi Theodoroi, Peloponnese. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.
Simitis, who led Greece from 1996 to 2004 and served as the leader of PASOK, is credited with guiding the country into the Eurozone and shaping its modern political and economic landscape.
Current Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised Simitis as “a worthy and noble political opponent” and “a catalyst in public life,” highlighting his key role in Greece’s modernisation and European integration.
“He believed modernisation was a continuous process rooted in democracy, justice and opportunity,” Mitsotakis said, adding, “His legacy endures in Greece’s progress.”
Με θλίψη και σεβασμό αποχαιρετώ τον Κώστα Σημίτη. Τον άξιο και ευγενή πολιτικό αντίπαλο. Αλλά και τον Πρωθυπουργό που συνόδευσε την Ελλάδα στα μεγάλα εθνικά της βήματα: την ένταξη στην Ευρωζώνη και στο Ευρώ και την είσοδο της Κύπρου στην Ευρώπη. https://t.co/bpo1QwDcsh pic.twitter.com/dXbCzGAH5x
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) January 5, 2025
Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou also bid farewell to Simitis in a statement, hailing his presence in “the public life of Greece” as pivotal to the “formation and continuation of a different political consciousness and culture in the Metapolitefsi period, with an emphasis on method, rationality, and commitment to the goal.”
“He envisioned, as Prime Minister, a Greece strong and equal in Europe,” she added.
The leader of PASOK-Movement for Change Nikos Androulakis expressed his condolences, praising Simitis’ contributions to national advancement.
“Costas Simitis and the work of his governments sealed one of the most creative periods of Greece,” Androulakis said, adding that “as prime minister, he opened new horizons for Greek society.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola mourned the passing of Simitis, stating, “Europe mourns with the people of Greece for the loss of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis.”
Metsola highlighted Simitis’ legacy, emphasising that he was “a deeply Europeanist and visionary politician,” whose impact remains significant in both the Greek and European political landscape. She also extended her sincere condolences to Simitis’ family.
The funeral of Simitis is set to be held at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral midday on Thursday, January 9 (local time).
