16 Facts About Kostas Karamanlis

Kostas Karamanlis was president of the centre-right New Democracy party, founded by his uncle Konstantinos Karamanlis, from 1997 to 2009, and a member of the Hellenic Parliament from 1989 to 2023.

Kostas Karamanlis, a nephew of former Greek President Konstantinos Karamanlis, was born in Athens and studied at University of Athens Law School and at the private Deree College, continuing with postgraduate studies in the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States, where he gained a master's degree and a doctorate in political sciences, international relations and diplomatic history.

Kostas Karamanlis served in New Democracy's organisational and ideological sectors from 1974 to 1979 and from 1984 to 1989.

Kostas Karamanlis was elected a New Democracy deputy for Thessaloniki in 1989, but in 2004 he was elected for Larissa.

Kostas Karamanlis was elected party leader in 1997 following New Democracy's defeat in the 1996 election.

Kostas Karamanlis defeated the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement at the 2004 elections.

Kostas Karamanlis served as one of the Vice Presidents of the European People's Party between 1999 and 2006.

Kostas Karamanlis was the first Greek Prime Minister to be born after World War II.

Kostas Karamanlis married Natasa Pazaiti in 1998; they have two children, born on 13 June 2003.

Kostas Karamanlis stated that the priorities of his government were education, economic policy, agricultural policy, lowering the high level of unemployment and a more transparent and effective state administration.

Kostas Karamanlis declared that "Social policy was done with borrowed cash, military spending did not show up on the budget, debts were created in secret".

In matters of social policy, Kostas Karamanlis's government has followed a largely liberal policy.

At the outset of the year, prime minister Kostas Karamanlis announced the initiative of his government for a new amendment to the Constitution.

Kostas Karamanlis stated that one of the central issues of this amendment will be the legalisation of private universities in Greece, operating on a non-profit basis.

Kostas Karamanlis pledged to continue with his reform and privatization programme as well as to form a new Cabinet.

Kostas Karamanlis was largely elected in 2004 due to his plea to "clear" public life from corruption.