Constantine Caramanlis

Karamanlis, Konstantinos

 or Constantine Caramanlis

(born March 8, 1907, Próti, near Sérrai, Macedonia, Ottoman Empire—died April 23, 1998, Athens, Greece) Greek prime minister (1955–63, 1974–80) and president (1980–85, 1990–95). In various cabinet posts after World War II (1946–55), he helped rebuild Greece's war-torn economy. Chosen prime minister in 1955, he formed a government and a new conservative party, the National Radical Union. In 1960 he established an independent republic on Cyprus to ease tensions with Britain and Turkey over the island. He resigned in 1963 and lived in exile in Paris until 1974. Recalled as prime minister, he subordinated the military to civilian authority to restore democracy, averted war with Turkey over Cyprus, and oversaw the adoption of a new constitution that strengthened the presidency. In 1975 he held a referendum that resulted in the abolition of the monarchy. In 1980 he resigned as prime minister and was elected president. He helped effect Greece's entry into the European Community in 1981. He resigned in 1985, then was reelected president in 1990.

---

Caramanlis, Constantine 

(Konstantinos Karaman-lis). Born Feb. 23, 1907, in the city of Proti. Greek statesman and politician.

By training, Caramanlis is a lawyer. In 1935–36 and again in 1946, he was elected to parliament from the Populist (monarchist) Party. Between 1946 and 1955 he occupied a number of ministerial posts. In August 1951 he joined the Greek Rally, the party of the big industrial and financial bourgeoisie. In January 1956 he reorganized the National Rally as the National Radical Union. During the years 1955–58, 1958–61, and 1961–63, Caramanlis was prime minister of Greece. The domestic policy of his government was noted for the suppression of democratic freedoms and the persecution of progressive forces. Under his rule Greece became more dependent economically and politically on the USA and further subordinated to the interests of NATO. Under pressure from the masses, Caramanlis resigned in June 1963 and emigrated to France.

When the military dictatorship collapsed in July 1974, Car-manlis became prime minister in the interim government. InSeptember 1974 he reconstituted the National Radical Union asthe New Democracy Party, with himself as leader of the party.On Nov. 21, 1974, Caramanlis became prime minister of thereorganized Greek government.