Costas Simitis was born right into a political household and lived his life within the tumult of Greece’s politics, however he was so “alien,” so totally different to different Greek politicians that he was like a board on which everybody may undertaking his personal wishes, fears and bigotry. In the best way he lived, along with his actions and wealthy legacy, Simitis is the measure of what this nation can accomplish, of its strengths and of the difficulties it faces, of what we may obtain if we had extra politicians who positioned consensus and the collective good above private pursuits, who noticed the necessity for progress fairly than pursuing a straightforward experience. Within the reactions to his demise, we are able to measure the division between those that want for one thing higher for the Greeks and people relishing the mania that feeds off an inexhaustible combination of response and utopian anger.
We don’t have to listing Simitis’ many accomplishments, nor to underestimate errors of his eight years as prime minister, to simply accept that he left Greece (and Cyprus) in significantly better situation than he discovered them. And his authorities’s achievements weren’t solely the tangible ones. He confirmed that with the right studying of actuality, with technique and conscientiousness, with out interesting for international help on a regular basis, we may obtain convergence with our companions within the EU and even assist form European coverage. Younger Greeks acquired higher self-confidence of their research and their careers in Greece, in Europe, on the planet. It was a coming of age, actually and symbolically.
Typically the reactions towards Simitis (together with in his PASOK occasion), betrayed a conventional desire for simple options provided by seductive, paternalistic leaders. For many people, it was tough to simply accept a pacesetter who was average, hard-working and protracted, who made us face our obligations, who adopted establishments to present higher energy to every citizen and to strengthen society. At the moment, with our planet threatened by ever extra charismatic, autocratic leaders, Simitis is a measure of seriousness and accountability past Greece, too.
