A New Day for Greek Politics? : Papandreou era ends as the popular Costas Simitis becomes leader of troubled land

The ascension of Costas Simitis as prime minister of Greece signals a timely break from the populist, leftist politics of Andreas Papandreou, the indomitable caudillo of politics for 15 years. Simitis’ election by the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement as the old giant lay hospitalized with pneumonia, the latest in a string of illnesses, promises a new political environment in Athens, one that should improve Greece’s economic status, draw it closer to the United States and raise its image in the European Community.

Papandreou is still revered by many, and there should be no illusions that his populist legacy will be easy to dismantle. Simitis has a long and difficult way ahead trying to convince the Greeks that the country now needs a vision more in tune with Europe and the Maastricht Treaty than with the ancient rivalries of the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean.

Papandreou, formerly on the faculty at UC Berkeley and once an American citizen, mellowed a little after his reelection in 1993. His health problems and distasteful scandals plagued his administration and left a negative mark on the country. Greece’s economy remained in disarray and the country stood at the undisputed end of the line in the European Union. Too many years were wasted in resentful, contentious rhetoric against the Socialists’ domestic opposition, the United States and Western Europe.

The noisy policies of the past should be buried. The times call for tight economic policies at home and prudent rhetoric abroad. Athens should define what role it intends to play vis-a-vis its old nemesis Turkey and the Balkans conflict, which at times has threatened to spill over toward Greece’s northern frontier.

Simitis has the proper credentials to implement the needed change. He is a lawyer and understands economics and thus is equipped to reform the role of the state in the economy. Politically, he is the best card the Socialists have for the 1997 election. At the threshold of the new era, he is, according to public opinion polls, the most popular politician in Greece.