Kostas Karamanlis

Kostas Karamanlis
Name	Kostas Karamanlis
Caption	Karamanlis in 2007
Office	Prime Minister of Greece
Term start	10 March 2004
Term end	6 October 2009
President	Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, Karolos Papoulias
Predecessor	Kostas Simitis
Successor	George Papandreou
Office1	President of New Democracy
Term start1	21 March 1997
Term end1	30 November 2009
Predecessor1	Miltiadis Evert
Successor1	Antonis Samaras
Birth date	14 September 1956
Birth place	Athens, Kingdom of Greece
Party	New Democracy
Spouse	Natasa Pazaïti
Alma mater	Athens College, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Relations	Konstantinos Karamanlis (uncle), Achilleas Karamanlis (cousin)

Kostas Karamanlis served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 2004 to 2009 and was the long-time president of the New Democracy party. His tenure was marked by significant economic growth preceding the Great Recession, major infrastructure projects like the Rio–Antirrio bridge, and the hosting of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. A nephew of former President Konstantinos Karamanlis, his premiership ended amidst the early stages of the Greek government-debt crisis and political controversies.

Early life and education

Born in Athens into a prominent political family, he is the nephew of the founder of New Democracy and former President Konstantinos Karamanlis. He attended the prestigious Athens College before studying law at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He furthered his education in the United States, earning a Master's and a Doctorate in political science and history from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Political career

His political ascent began after his return to Greece, where he was elected as a member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Thessaloniki constituency in 1989. He quickly rose through the ranks of New Democracy, holding several shadow ministerial positions. Following the party's defeat in the 1996 election, he was elected president of New Democracy in 1997, succeeding Miltiadis Evert, and became Leader of the Opposition.

Premiership

After winning the 2004 general election against the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) government of Kostas Simitis, he assumed the office of Prime Minister of Greece. His government oversaw a period of strong economic growth, significantly reduced the budget deficit, and implemented large-scale projects such as the Attiki Odos and the Athens Metro expansion. His term included the successful delivery of the 2004 Summer Olympics and a pivotal state visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Athens. He was re-elected in the 2007 election, but his second term was dominated by challenges including widespread civil unrest in 2008, the Great Recession, and the emerging Greek government-debt crisis. His government faced criticism over its handling of devastating forest fires and the Vatopedi monastery land scandal, leading to his resignation and call for early elections after the 2009 European election.

Post-premiership activities

Following his electoral defeat to George Papandreou in the October 2009 election, he resigned as president of New Democracy and was succeeded by Antonis Samaras. He largely withdrew from frontline politics, focusing on writing, lecturing, and participating in international conferences. He has served on various boards and think tanks, including engagements with the Heritage Foundation and the Hudson Institute, and has been a vocal commentator on European Union and Balkans policy.

Personal life

He is married to lawyer and former Miss Greece Natasa Pazaïti, and they have two children. The family maintains a residence in Athens and a holiday home on the island of Kea. An avid sports fan, he supports Olympiacos F.C. and enjoys basketball and sailing. His cousin, Achilleas Karamanlis, is also a politician who has served in the Hellenic Parliament.

Legacy and public image

His legacy is complex, often viewed through the prism of the economic crisis that unfolded shortly after his tenure. Supporters credit him with modernizing Greece's infrastructure, maintaining fiscal discipline before the global financial meltdown, and professionally managing the 2004 Summer Olympics. Critics associate his government with the early accumulation of unsustainable debt and a perceived failure to reform the Greek economy and tackle systemic corruption. His public image remains that of a reserved, intellectual figure within the New Democracy party, whose premiership bridged a period of prosperity and the onset of a severe national crisis.

Category:Prime Ministers of Greece Category:New Democracy (Greece) politicians Category:1956 births Category:Living people