Vasso Papandreou, a trailblazing Greek politician who championed women’s representation in Greek politics, has passed away at the age of 79 in her Athens suburb home. No specific cause of death was mentioned, but it was reported that she had been in poor health for some time.
Papandreou’s funeral took place near Aegio, close to her birth town in southern Greece. The service was attended by former Socialist prime minister Costas Simitis and other seasoned politicians who paid tribute to her remarkable contributions to Greece and her unwavering commitment to social justice.
Politicians from various parties remembered Papandreou fondly following her passing on Thursday. Even those who had political differences with her, like conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, acknowledged her strength of character and noted how she earned the respect of both friends and opponents.
As a founding member of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement in 1974, Papandreou played a pivotal role in Greek politics. She held ministerial positions in the Costas Simitis governments from 1996 to 2004, serving in key roles like minister of economic development and minister for the environment.
Breaking barriers as Greece’s first female European Commissioner from 1989 to 1992, Papandreou was admired for her advocacy of democratic rights and dedication to enhancing employment and social affairs. She was instrumental in spearheading efforts to increase female participation in Greek politics, advocating for legislation requiring 33% female representation on candidate lists.
Throughout her extensive career, Papandreou emphasised workers’ rights, educational opportunities, as well as support for mothers and individuals with special needs. She was elected to Parliament in six successive terms from 1993 to 2009, consistently standing for social justice and gender equality.
Born on December 9, 1944, Papandreou initially studied economics in Athens before obtaining a Ph.D. from the University of Reading in the UK. She transitioned from academia to politics as Greece emerged from a seven-year military dictatorship, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer for women in Greek politics.