Theodoros Pangalos

Theodoros Pangalos

By Patrick Comerford

Born 1938, the grandson of a famous Greek general educated at Athens University and the Sorbonne, Ph.D.

In the news because: One of the most striking changes in the Greek cabinet by Costas Simitis is the appointment of Pangalos to replace Karolos Papoulias as Foreign Minister.

Early activism: Founder member of the Grigoris Lambrakis Youth Movement, candidate for the left-wing EDA party in 1964, active in opposition to the colonels' regime, deprived of Greek citizenship 1968.

In exile: Lecturer and researcher in economic development and town planning at the Sorbonne.

Later career: Head of Economic Development Institute, 1969, 1978 law practice in Athens and legal adviser to trade unions active in environmental issues, author of several works on economics, sociology and philosophy.

Qualifications for the job: Fluent in French, English and German, one of Greece's best versed diplomats on EU affairs, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1987 1988 and 1993 Minister of State for European Affairs, 1987 1988. Praised for hard work on expanding the EU to 15 members from 12 during the Greek presidency in 1994.

What’s he like? “Pangalos is outspoken but he’s also engaging, articulate and a good negotiator. When it comes to the EU, he knows his stuff,” one EU diplomat said. Others say he is a pragmatic, flexible negotiator, not rooted in Greek parochialism.

Opponents: Diplomatic sources say some EU states indicated they preferred someone else.

Why? Pangalos insulted both Germany and Italy when he was European Affairs Minister during the Greek presidency. He described Germany as “a giant with bestial force and a child’s brain”. He later apologised publicly, but ended Greece’s presidency by dodging a handshake with the then Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.

He criticised EU partners for allowing Turkey to “drag its bloodied boots on European carpets”. He supports Cyprus joining the EU and expects to be involved directly in a US initiative on the Cypriot question.

Any critics at home? He was critical of Andreas Papandreou’s ability to govern and has enjoyed little support within the party. The right-wing opposition and press have attacked Simitis for appointing both Pangalos and the former European Commissioner, Vasso Papandreou, to his cabinet.

But? The pro-government Eleftherotypia said Simitis had shown himself “more daring” than he first appeared, and Pangalos would add new weight to Greek foreign policy, “a major test” for the government.

Last word to Thanos Veremis of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy: “He may surprise you. He is a realistic negotiator, and he’s willing to take responsibility for his decisions. He has a big mouth but everyone is hoping Simitis will be able to tranquillise him.”

This news feature was published in ‘The Irish Times’ on 24 January 1996

Reformer Simitis chosen to replace Papandreou

By Patrick Comerford

Greece's ruling Pasok party yesterday chose Mr Costas Simitis (59) as its new leader following the resignation as prime minister of Mr Andreas Papandreou, who remains in hospital under intensive care.

Mr Simitis was chosen in a run-off involving 167 deputies from the party. He won with 86 votes, against 75 for pro-Papandreou candidate and interim prime minister, Mr Akis Tsohatzopoulos (56).

The latter had been expected to carry the election with the help of deputies who had voted in the first round for the two other candidates, the Defence Minister, Mr Gerassimos Arsenis – another Papandreou supporter, who garnered 50 votes – and a former deputy prime minister, Mr Yannis Haralambopoulos, who won 11.

Mr Simitis was a founding member with Mr Papandreou of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok). He emerged as a challenger to his ailing mentor last year and in opinion polls over the past two months was the favourite to win the succession race. His toughest rival was thought to be Mr Arsenis (64).

In recent weeks those close to Mr Papandreou’s wife, Ms Dimitra Liani, were said to have approached Mr Simitis offering support in return for assurances for her future.

Although yesterday’s vote makes him the new leader of the parliamentary party, he is in effect prime minister. He will receive his mandate from President Costis Stephanopoulos before facing a confidence vote in parliament. With a large absolute majority in the 300 seat parliament, Pasok should be able to serve out its four year term, which ends in October 1997.

Mr Simitis is considered the leader of Pasok’s reform and pro-EU wing. He has often criticised Mr Papandreou for dragging Athens away from Brussels politically, and in recent months was to the fore in demanding Mr Papandreou’s resignation. He led the “Gang of Four” who rose to challenge Mr Papandreou’s leadership after he won a third term in October 1993. The other members of the gang were the former European Affairs Minister, Mr Theodoros Pangalos, the former European Commissioner for Social Affairs, Dr Vasso Papandreou (no relation to the former prime minister) and Mr Paraskevas Avgerinos.

The Simitis-led government is likely to break with the past and move away from the populist politics of Mr Papandreou. The new prime minister also faces the challenge of ensuring Pasok survives the post Papandreou era and of rebuilding the party in time for next year’s elections. He is expected to oversee a major shake-up of the present administration.

Mr Simitis previously served as Agriculture. National Economy, Education and Industry Minister and has been a member of every Pasok cabinet since 1981, when Mr Papandreou first swept to power.

He is a Supreme Court lawyer with his own practice. He studied law and economics in Marburg and at the London School at Economics, and taught commercial law in Athens. In 1967, when the military junta took power, he escaped abroad and rallied against the colonels with Mr Papandreou until returning to Greece after the fall of the dictators in 1974. He was first elected to parliament in 1985, and was respected for the austerity programme he introduced in 1985-1987.

Mr Simitis was named Industry Minister in 1993 but resigned in anger when Mr Papandreou blamed him publicly for bungling a privatisation plan for a state shipyard. The row and his resignation made him the natural leader of the party reformers.

He is married and has two daughters.

Mr Papandreou’s resignation this week ended nearly two months of political paralysis and confusion in Greece since the 76-year-old leader was admitted to hospital on November 20th, suffering from pneumonia and other illnesses.

This news report was published in ‘The Irish Times’ on 19 January 1996