Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
The Greek government has declared four days of national mourning following the death of former prime minister Costas Simitis, with a state funeral to honor his legacy.
Simitis, who served as prime minister and PASOK leader from 1996 to 2004, is credited with guiding Greece into the Eurozone and shaping the country’s modern political and economic landscape.
Simitis passed away early Sunday at his vacation home in Agioi Theodoroi, Peloponnese, at the age of 88. He was taken to a hospital unresponsive and was pronounced dead shortly after unsuccessful efforts to revive him.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described Simitis as “a noble political opponent” and “a catalyst in public life,” emphasizing his role in Greece’s modernization and European integration.
“He believed modernization was a continuous process rooted in democracy, justice and opportunity,” Mitsotakis said, adding, “His legacy endures in Greece’s progress.”
