On Monday, 8 June, at 12:00, the funeral service of the former minister and leading member of the New Democracy, Giorgos Souflias, will be held at the Church of the Annunciation of Theotokos in Papagos Cemetery.

The family of the deceased wishes, in lieu of wreaths, to make donations in his memory to the organization “The Smile of the Child”.

Giorgos Souflias was one of the most versatile and influential personalities of the post-independence political scene of the country, associating his name with critical portfolios, major infrastructure projects, but also with important internal party and national reforms.

Born in Agia Larissa in 1941, he studied Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens. His political career began in 1974, when he was elected for the first time as a member of parliament for Larissa with New Democracy, a prefecture he served faithfully for many decades.

During his long tenure in government, he assumed critical ministerial duties:

Ministry of National Economy & Finance: In the early 1990s, managed economic policy during a period of transition for the country.

He associated his name with reform efforts and dialogue on education.

During Kostas Karamanlis’ government, George Souflias was identified with the completion and planning of flagship infrastructure projects across the country (such as the completion of major roads, the extension of the Athens Metro and major environmental projects).

Known in the political world and among journalists as “the wise man of the party”, George Souflias stood out for his straightforwardness of speech, his technocratic competence and his ability to synthesize opinions, earning the respect of both his fellow politicians and his political opponents.

His loss marks the closing of a major chapter for the centre-right party and Greek political life in general.