The state funeral of former Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, who passed away on Sunday, takes place today in Athens.
Arrangements have been finalized for a ceremony that reflects his significant contributions to the nation, with honors typically reserved for sitting prime ministers.
Simitis’ body will lie in state at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, and the funeral service, led by Archbishop Ieronymos, will begin at noon.
Afterward, a procession will accompany the former leader to his final resting place at Athens' First Cemetery, where he will be buried near PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou.
The Simitis family has requested a modest ceremony, opting for a hearse rather than a gun carriage for transportation. The burial will include military honors, with a guard of four senior officers and a three-volley salute.
The service is expected to draw a large number of high-profile attendees, including President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, and leaders of Greece’s political parties. Former Prime Minister George Papandreou and numerous government ministers, military officials, and foreign dignitaries will also be present. Eulogies will be delivered by President Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, and close academic collaborators of Simitis.
Following the funeral, the procession will proceed on foot from the cathedral to the cemetery, passing significant landmarks such as the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This journey, expected to take 25 minutes, will be accompanied by military bands performing ceremonial marches.
A four-day national mourning period has been declared, and the government has designated the funeral to be held at public expense. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ERT, with interpretation in sign language to ensure accessibility.
In light of the event, Athens will see extensive traffic restrictions. Parking bans will be in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon in key central areas, including Mitropoleos, Ermou, and Amalias streets.
On Thursday morning, road closures will extend to major routes such as Syngrou Avenue, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, and Panepistimiou Street. Motorists are urged to avoid these areas and follow police guidance to reduce disruptions.
The funeral of Kostas Simitis will stand as a solemn farewell to a leader who played a pivotal role in modern Greek history, with his legacy enduring as a guiding light for the nation.