Konstantinos Karamanlis (1907–98) was a Greek statesman who shaped modern Greece. Serving four terms as Prime Minister and twice as President, he led major economic and political transformations.
Born in Küpköy, Ottoman Empire, he studied law at the University of Athens, earning his degree (1932.) Entering politics with the Populist Party, he secured a parliamentary seat for Sérres (1935,) holding it through multiple reelections. Appointed Minister of Labour (1946,) he later held key cabinet positions, aiding refugees and rebuilding Greece’s economy. Joining the conservative Greek Rally party (1950,) he unexpectedly became Prime Minister in 1955 after Alexandros Papagos’s death.
His tenure saw industrialization, infrastructure expansion, and full voting rights for women. He also pursued Greece’s European Economic Community (EEC) membership, laying the groundwork for accession.
After political exile in France, Karamanlis returned in 1974, leading Greece’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy and founding the New Democracy party. His leadership stabilized the country and secured its place in Europe.
Karamanlis authored Konstantinos Karamanlis: Archive, Events & Texts (12 vols., 1997; reissued 2005,) chronicling his political career. His Konstantinos Karamanlis in the Twentieth Century (3 vols., 2008) analyzes his contributions to democracy, foreign policy, and economic development.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Konstantinos Karamanlis
People who decide they came to earth to work, who make work their personal philosophy, are kept very busy.
—Konstantinos Karamanlis
Topics: Work
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