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Konstantinos Karamanlis (also spelled Constantin Karamanlis) was a significant Greek politician, statesman, and four-time Prime Minister of Greece, as well as the President of the Hellenic Republic. He was born in 1907 in the Ottoman Empire (in what is now Turkey) and died in 1998.

Karamanlis played a crucial role in Greek politics, particularly in the second half of the 20th century. He was first elected as Prime Minister in 1955 and served until 1963. His early terms were marked by significant economic development and industrialization, as well as efforts to align Greece more closely with the West during the Cold War. He established the New Democracy party in 1974 after the fall of the military junta that had ruled Greece since 1967, when Karamanlis was in self-imposed exile in France.

Returning to Greece as the junta fell, he again served as Prime Minister from 1974 to 1980, overseeing Greece's transition from military dictatorship to democracy. This period included the drafting of a new democratic constitution in 1975 and Greece's entry into the European Economic Community (now the European Union) in 1981.

Konstantinos Karamanlis also served two terms as President of Greece, from 1980 to 1985 and from 1990 to 1995. His tenure is often associated with stabilizing the Greek democracy and promoting European integration. His political career and governance had a lasting impact on modern Greek politics and the nation's trajectory in the late 20th century.

Konstantinos Karamanlis left a profound and multifaceted legacy in Greek politics, characterized by his efforts to stabilize and modernize Greece during periods of significant challenge. Karamanlis served as Prime Minister of Greece from 1955 to 1963 and again from 1974 to 1980, and later as President from 1980 to 1985 and 1990 to 1995. His legacy can be segmented into several key areas:

1. European Integration: One of Karamanlis’s most enduring legacies was steering Greece towards Europe. His leadership was pivotal in Greece's accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) now the European Union, in 1981. This move was seen as crucial for Greece’s economic development and political stability.

2. Political Stability and Democratic Reform: After the fall of the military junta in 1974, Karamanlis returned from self-imposed exile to lead Greece through a critical transition from military dictatorship to democracy. He restored civil liberties, dismantled the vestiges of the junta, and re-established the rule of law, thereby reinforcing democratic institutions.

3. Economic Policies: Karamanlis's policies focused on rebuilding the Greek economy, promoting industrial growth, and implementing major projects, including infrastructure improvements. His governance marked a period of significant economic development for Greece.

4. Administrative Reforms: He initiated substantial administrative reforms, including the creation of regions (peripheries) and the decentralization of government authority. These reforms aimed at making government more efficient and closer to the citizens.

5. Constitutional Contributions: The constitution of 1975, which laid the foundation for the modern Greek state, was crafted under his leadership. This constitution strengthened the parliamentary system and established the presidency as a ceremonial post, except in times of national crisis.

6. National Defense: During his terms, Karamanlis also worked on strengthening Greece's military and defense capabilities, which contributed to the country's sovereignty and geostrategic standing, particularly during the Cold War.

In summary, Karamanlis is remembered as a stabilizing figure who navigated Greece through pivotal times, played a critical role in its democratic evolution, and fostered its integration into European structures. His leadership left a lasting impact on Greece's political, economic, and administrative landscapes.

Konstantinos Karamanlis was a strong proponent of Greece's integration into the European Union. His leadership was crucial in Greece's bid to join the European Economic Community (EEC), which is now known as the European Union (EU). Under his governance, Greece officially became the tenth member of the EEC in 1981. Karamanlis viewed membership in the EEC as essential for Greece's economic development, political stability, and for securing its position in Europe. His pro-European stance significantly shaped Greece's foreign policy and its orientation towards European integration.

Konstantinos Karamanlis had a profound influence on the New Democracy party, which he founded in 1974 following the collapse of the military junta in Greece. His influence stemmed primarily from his leadership style, his vision for a European-oriented and economically liberal Greece, and the political stability he sought to introduce after years of political turmoil.

Karamanlis envisioned New Democracy as a center-right political party that would draw support from a broad spectrum of Greek society, bridging the gap between the conservative right and the center-left. He aimed to consolidate various right-wing and center-right elements under a broad political canopy that advocated for free-market economics, closer ties with Europe, and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

Under his leadership, the party quickly became a dominant force in Greek politics. Karamanlis led New Democracy to victory in the elections of 1974, 1976, and 1981, serving as prime minister during these periods. His governance focused on stabilizing the Greek economy, promoting political stability, and steering Greece towards its eventual membership in the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1981, which is now the European Union (EU). These actions solidified the party’s reputation as an advocate for European integration and economic reform.

Karamanlis also emphasized the importance of democracy and rule of law, which had a lasting impact on the party's ideological foundation, setting a course towards modern European democratic values and away from the authoritarian past. His personal integrity and statesmanlike demeanor inspired loyalty and respect among party members and the Greek populace alike, shaping the party’s identity and political culture.

After stepping down from active politics, Karamanlis continued to exert influence over the party as its honorary president until his death. His legacy deeply influenced the leadership styles and policies of his successors within New Democracy, making his mark on the party both ideologically and organizationally for decades after his active political career ended.

Konstantinos Karamanlis played a significant role in shaping the economic landscape of Greece during his terms in office. He first served as Prime Minister from 1955 to 1963 and then from 1974 to 1980, before becoming President. His approach to economic policy was characterized by efforts to modernize the Greek economy and integrate it more closely with Europe.

During his first tenure, Karamanlis focused on stabilizing the Greek economy through a series of reforms. He implemented policies aimed at industrial development, infrastructure improvement, and encouraging foreign investment. His government invested in key sectors such as tourism, shipping, and construction, which contributed to a period of significant economic growth.

In 1959, under Karamanlis's leadership, Greece became an associate member of the European Economic Community (EEC), marking a pivotal step towards economic integration with Europe. This decision was part of his broader vision to anchor Greece firmly in the West during the Cold War era. The association with the EEC helped stimulate economic development and brought Greece closer to Western European standards.

Upon returning to power in 1974, after the fall of the military junta, Karamanlis took measures to stabilize the economy amidst the challenges of political transition. His government continued to pursue economic development, while also navigating the complexities of the international oil crisis and its economic ramifications.

Karamanlis’s economic policies and reforms, particularly his pro-European stance, laid the groundwork for Greece’s eventual full membership in the European Economic Community in 1981, after he had moved to the presidency. This was a testament to his long-term vision for Greece’s economic integration with Europe.

Konstantinos Karamanlis avoided making Constantine's plot public primarily due to his focus on political stability and the avoidance of further turmoil in Greece during a critical period of transition. After the fall of the military dictatorship in 1974, Karamanlis returned to Greece from self-imposed exile and was tasked with restoring democracy and stabilizing the country. The "Constantine’s plot," which refers to alleged plans by King Constantine II of Greece to return to power, could have potentially inflamed political tensions and led to divisiveness at a time when national unity was crucial.

Karamanlis was intent on ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition to democracy, and addressing this issue publicly might have jeopardized these efforts. It was in the national interest, according to Karamanlis's judgment, to prioritize economic recovery, democratic restoration, and the repair of Greece’s international image over settling scores with the monarchy or delving into potentially disruptive political conspiracies. Thus, keeping such matters low-key or unexposed aligned with his broader strategy of national reconciliation and rebuilding.

There is no recorded instance of the king convincing Konstantinos Karamanlis to resign. Karamanlis had led Greece during crucial transitional periods and his decisions to step down were typically based on political and personal reasons rather than external pressure from the monarchy. In fact, Karamanlis's political maneuvering often involved navigating complex relationships with the Greek monarchy, particularly during periods of political instability. His resignation from political positions were primarily aligned with the political climate and his own strategic considerations at those times.

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