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Former Greek PM Costas Simitis, Who Led Greece into Eurozone, Dies at 88

Jan 5, 2025, 08:47 AM

Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis has died at the age of 88. Simitis was found unconscious early Sunday at his holiday home in Corinth and was transported to Corinth Hospital, where attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Serving as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2004, he was instrumental in leading Greece into the Eurozone and adopting the Euro currency, as well as facilitating Cyprus's accession to the European Union. The government has declared four days of national mourning, and his funeral will be held with state honors. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, expressed condolences and praised his contributions to modernizing Greece. Mitsotakis stated, "I bid farewell to Costas Simitis with sadness and respect," acknowledging his efforts in placing the modernization of the country at the forefront.