Andreas Papandreou

Andreas Georgios Papandreou, Ανδρέας Γ. Παπανδρέου (15 February, 1919 - 23 June, 1996) was a Greek economist and politician. He served three times as Prime Minister of Greece (October 21, 1981 to July 2, 1989 and October 13, 1993 to January 22, 1996).

Legacy

Andreas Papandreou was an intensely polarising figure. He was a powerful orator and was adored by the working class and many people in rural Greece who warmed to his populist attacks on the rich and his romantic Greek nationalism. Political conservatives detested him, believing him to be a corrupt demagogue who ruined Greece's reputation and economy, and antagonised her neighbours. His successor in office, Costas Simitis, abandoned many of his policies, but was seen by many as a dull technocrat in comparison.

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Papandreou's son, George Papandreou, was elected leader of PASOK in February 2004. At the 2004 Greek elections, PASOK exploited the Papandreou legacy with the slogan "Andrea, zeis! Esy mas odhigeis!" ("Andreas, you still live! You lead us!"). Despite this PASOK was defeated by the ND leader Costas Caramanlis.

Related Topics:
George Papandreou - 2004 - 2004 Greek elections - Costas Caramanlis

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