George Papandreou

Georgios A. Papandreou, born 16 June 1952, is the current Prime Minister of Greece following his party's victory in the 2009 legislative election. His family comes from a long standing political dynasty. He previously served as Minister for National Education and Religious Affairs 1988–1989 and 1994–1996 and was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2004. Following his grandfather George Papandreou, Sr. and his father Andreas Papandreou, he is the third member of the Papandreou family to serve as the country's prime minister. Papandreou has been leader of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party since February 2004. In 2006 he became President of the Socialist International. George Papandreou became the 182nd Prime Minister of Greece on 6 October 2009.

Prime Minister

The inauguration of George Papandreou as the 182nd Prime Minister of Greece took place on October 6, 2009.

Upon inauguration, Papandreou's government revealed that its finances were far worse than previous announcements, with a budget deficit of 12.7% of GDP, four times more than the eurozone's limit, and a public debt of $410 billion. This announcement only served to worsen the severe crisis the Greek economy was undergoing, with an unemployment rate of 10% and the country's debt rating being lowered to BBB+, the lowest in the eurozone. Papandreou responded by promoting austerity measures,reducing spending, increasing taxes,freezing additional taxes and hiring and introducing measures aimed at combatting rampant tax evasion and reducing the country's public sector. The announced austerity program caused a wave of nationwide strikes and has been criticised by both the EU and the eurozone nations' finance ministers as falling short of its goals.

On a poll published on the 18th of May 2011, 77% of the people asked said they have no faith in Papandreou as Prime Minister in handling the Greek economic crisis.

Party leadership

In anticipation of the 2004 national elections in Greece, polls indicated that PASOK was very likely to lose as the conservative New Democracy party was heading towards a landslide. In January 2004, the incumbent PM Costas Simitis announced his resignation as leader of PASOK, and passed the leadership to Papandreou by recommending him as the new leader.

On February 8, 2004 PASOK introduced for the first time the procedure of open primaries for the election of party leadership. Even if Papandreou had no opponent, this was a move designed to solidify the open primaries, democratise the party, and make a clean break with a tradition of “dynastic politics.”

In December 2003 European Voice in the publication "The Europeans of the Year" named him as "The Bridge-Builder" and "Diplomat of the Year. Le Monde has called him the "architect of Greek-Turkish rapprochement". He is a founding member of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly.

In May 2005, Papandreou was elected Vice President of the Socialist International following a proposal by the former President, António Guterres. In January 2006, Papandreou was unanimously elected President of the Socialist International.

Personal life

Apart from Greek and English, he is also fluent in Swedish, French, and Spanish.

Papandreou and his wife Ada have a daughter, Margarita-Elena. He also has a son, Andreas, (born 1982) from a previous marriage, 1976–1987, to Evanthia Zissimides, born in Cyprus and raised in England. He has two younger brothers, Nikos Papandreou and Andreas Papandreou, and two younger sisters, Sophia Papandreou and Emilia Nyblom.

Honours and decorations

1996: Commander of the Order of the Yaroslav the Wise (Ukraine)

1996: Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion (Finland)

1996: Grand Commander of the Order of the Polish Republic (Poland)

1998: Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (Spain)

1999: Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star (Sweden)

1999: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Star (Estonia)

1999: Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, first class (Austria)

2000: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, first class (Germany)

2001: Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain)

2001: Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown (Belgium)

2002: Grand Cross of the Order of Infante dom Henrique (Portugal)

2002: Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX (Vatican)

2003: Grand Commander of the Order of Merit (Hungary)

2003: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Italy)

2003: Gran Cruz El Sol du Peru (Peru)

Awards

1988: " Botsis's Foundation for the Promotion of Journalism " award for "his multifaceted struggles, which established the Free Radio as part of our democratic institutions"

1996: SOS against anti-Semitism, and affiliated organizations" Committee award, for his work against anti-Semitism

1997: Abdi Ipekci special award for Peace and Friendship ( June 1997) "for his activities in favor of Greek-Turkish approach during the period 1995–1996 while serving as Minister of National Education and Religion"

2000: Eastwest Institute 2000 Awards – Peace Building Awards . The 2000 "Statesman of the Year Award" given to Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem of Turkey for their great efforts at improving relations between their respective countries

2002: Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award (United States Sport Academy)

2003: Recipient: Defender of Democracy (Parliamentarians for Global Action)

2006: Open Fields Award (Truce Foundation USA)

2010: Quadriga Award (Werkstatt Deutschland, Germany), for The Power of Veracity (transparency regarding the state of the Greek economy)