Costas Simitis was born into a political family and lived his life in the tumult of Greece’s politics, but he was so “alien,” so different to other Greek politicians that he was like a board on which everyone could project his own desires, fears and bigotry. In the way he lived, with his actions and rich legacy, Simitis is the measure of what this nation can accomplish, of its strengths and of the difficulties it faces, of what we could achieve if we had more politicians who placed consensus and the collective good above personal interests, who saw the need for progress rather than pursuing an easy ride. In the reactions to his death, we can measure the division between those who wish for something better for the Greeks and those relishing the mania that feeds off an inexhaustible mixture of reaction and utopian anger.
We don’t need to list Simitis’ many accomplishments, nor to underestimate mistakes of his eight years as prime minister, to accept that he left Greece (and Cyprus) in much better condition than he found them. And his government’s achievements were not only the tangible ones. He showed that with the correct reading of reality, with strategy and conscientiousness, without appealing for foreign assistance all the time, we could achieve convergence with our partners in the EU and even help shape European policy. Young Greeks acquired greater self-confidence in their studies and their careers in Greece, in Europe, in the world. It was a coming of age, literally and symbolically.
Often the reactions against Simitis (including in his PASOK party), betrayed a traditional preference for easy solutions offered by seductive, paternalistic leaders. For many of us, it was difficult to accept a leader who was moderate, hard-working and persistent, who made us face our responsibilities, who adopted institutions to give greater power to each citizen and to strengthen society. Today, with our planet threatened by ever more charismatic, autocratic leaders, Simitis is a measure of seriousness and responsibility beyond Greece, too.