Traffic regulations are in full effect around the Metropolitan Cathedral in central Athens as preparations are underway for the funeral service of former Prime Minister Costas Simitis, scheduled to take place at 12 pm on Thursday. He died suddenly last Sunday, aged 88.
Simitis, who co-founded the PASOK socialist party after the fall of the military junta in 1974, served an eight-year tenure as prime minister between 1996 and 2004 and has been credited for spearheading major infrastructure projects and being instrumental in Greece’s adoption of the euro and its alignment with EU policies.
The funeral will be conducted with the honors accorded to a sitting Prime Minister and will be funded by the state.
Traffic regulations were implemented Wednesday night and will remain in effect until 4 pm Thursday.
Parking and stopping are prohibited along the entirety of Mitropoleos Street, as well as on adjacent side streets. Restrictions also apply to Aiolou Street (between Andrianou and Ermou Streets) and Ermou Street (between Aiolou and Athinas Streets).
Additional measures have been implemented at the First Cemetery of Athens, where Simitis will be laid to rest, as well as on several key streets in downtown Athens along the funeral procession route. These include Amalias Avenue, Stadiou Street, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Vasilissis Konstantinou Avenue, Kallirrois Avenue, and Ilioupoleos Street.