Costas Simitis' legacy and his role in shaping modern Greece
Episode description
The death of former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the age of 88 has put a spotlight on his tenure (1996-2004), with many highlighting his role in shaping today’s Greece. Key highlights include bringing Greece into the Eurozone, playing a key role in Cyprus’s quest for EU membership, establishing a framework for dialogue with Turkey, and securing the 2004 Athens Olympics. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis to look back at Simitis’ legacy and impact on Greece.
John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Costas Simitis, 2-Time Prime Minister of Greece, Dies at 88
Tributes paid after former Greek PM Costas Simitis dies aged 88
International media reflect on Costas Simitis’ legacy as Greece’s modernizer