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Former Greek PM Costas Simitis Dies at 88; Greece Declares Four Days of Mourning

Jan 5, 2025, 09:37 AM

Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who led the country from 1996 to 2004 and oversaw Greece's entry into the Eurozone, has died at age 88. Simitis passed away on Sunday morning at his holiday home in Corinth after being found unconscious, according to reports. During his tenure, Simitis was instrumental in modernizing Greece's economy and played a key role in securing Cyprus's entry into the European Union. He was also known for initiatives such as introducing the euro in Greece and hosting the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Greece has declared four days of national mourning, and his funeral will be held with the honors of an incumbent prime minister on January 9 at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral. Political leaders across Greece expressed condolences to his wife, Daphne, and noted his significant contributions to the country. Simitis was a co-founder of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) and is remembered as one of Greece's longest-serving prime ministers and a significant figure in the nation's modern political history.