ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Mourners gathered outside the central cathedral in Athens on Thursday, January 4, 2024, to pay their respects ahead of the state funeral for former Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who passed away last weekend at the age of 88. Known for his pivotal role in Greece’s accession to the European Union's common currency, the euro, Simitis is remembered as a significant figure in the nation’s modern history.
The late Prime Minister will be accorded burial honors typically reserved for sitting prime ministers, reflecting the respect earned through his long service to the nation. A funeral service is scheduled to take place at noon in the Metropolitan Cathedral, followed by his burial at the First Cemetery of Athens, a resting place for numerous notable Greeks, including iconic politicians, musicians, and artists.
In alignment with his family’s wishes, Simitis’ body did not lie in state; however, many citizens gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects. Traffic restrictions were observed in the central areas of Athens as preparations were made for the funeral procession to the cemetery.
Costas Simitis was a staunch pro-European leader who served as Prime Minister from January 1996 to March 2004, establishing a record for longevity in Greek leadership. He co-founded the socialist PASOK party in 1974 and was recognized as a leader within the modernization faction of the party. His political career included a notable rivalry with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, whom he succeeded in 1996.
Among his most significant achievements was Greece’s entry into the eurozone in January 2001, which he regarded as a landmark success of his leadership. He also played a crucial role in securing the 2004 Olympic Games for Athens and oversaw extensive infrastructure developments, including the construction of a new airport and two additional subway lines, to accommodate the influx of visitors for the games. He was instrumental in supporting Cyprus’ entry into the European Union in 2004 as well.
Following Simitis’ passing on Sunday, a four-day period of official mourning was declared across Greece. Reports indicated that he was taken unconscious and without a pulse to a hospital in Corinth from his holiday home located west of Athens, where medical professionals were unable to revive him.
Prominent figures were expected to attend Simitis’ funeral, including Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who lauded the late prime minister as an "outstanding leader" deserving of a special place in both Greek and Cypriot history.
Costas Simitis was born on June 23, 1936, as the younger son of politically engaged parents; his father, Georgios, was actively involved in the left-leaning resistance against the German occupation during World War II, while his mother, Fani, advocated for feminist causes. Simitis pursued his education in law at the University of Marburg in Germany during the 1950s and later studied economics and politics at the London School of Economics in the early 1960s. He also served as a law professor at the University of Athens. His elder brother, Spiros, who passed away in 2023, was recognized as a prominent legal scholar in Germany.
