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Global News Through a Greek Lens
Global News Through a Greek Lens
“I want a Greece that is open and present. A Greece that inspires pride and strength. To be abroad and say you come from Greece and be respected. That is what I want to achieve, and I am passionate about it.”
With these simple yet profound words, Costas Simitis encapsulated his vision for Greece and the guiding principles of his eight-year tenure as prime minister: a passion for progress, modernization, and the belief that Greece could transform from “Europe’s black sheep” into a model European partner.
During his time in office, Simitis had the rare opportunity to realize this transformation through methodical planning, persistence, and his legendary notepad. Under his leadership, Greece transitioned from a Balkan country lagging behind Europe to a core member of the euro area, adopting the single currency. He persuaded European partners that Cyprus could join the EU without resolving the Cyprus issue and compelled Turkey to base its European ambitions on resolving Greek-Turkish disputes through international law.
Simitis’ Greece became synonymous with major infrastructure projects during the Metapolitefsi era (the period of restoration of democracy that followed the fall of the seven-year military dictatorship of 1967-1974): the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, the Attiki Odos highway, the Egnatia Odos (the country’s longest highway), the Athens metro, and Athens International Airport. It was a Greece that expanded the social welfare state for the underprivileged, strengthened the rule of law through the establishment of independent authorities, and stood on its own feet economically. Greece emerged as a leader in the Balkans and Southeast Europe, achieved economic convergence with the European average, hosted one of the most well-organized Olympic Games, and elevated its international standing.
However, the modest and dignified Simitis did not succeed in everything. He retreated from the ambitious pension reforms proposed by his labor minister, Tasos Giannitsis, failed to curb corruption among high-ranking government officials, and did not adequately prepare for the future leadership of PASOK.
Nevertheless, Simitis undeniably left behind a Greece far better than the one he inherited. For this, history will judge him favorably. Those who share a vision for the country’s progress respect and honor him. Those who still rely on populism and easy solutions continue to criticize him. Let us hope that Greece will be fortunate enough to have more leaders like Simitis in the future.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/opinion/1258013/the-greece-of-costas-simitis/
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