Death of Greek veteran politician

Ioannis (Giannis) Varbatsis, a long‑standing figure in Greece’s New Democracy party, died on 2 August 2026 at the age of 93, coinciding with his birthday. His political career began in 1961 as a Centre Union MP and spanned nearly five decades, during which he held numerous ministerial portfolios—including Interior, Foreign Affairs, Trade, Education, Defense and Justice—served as a Member of the European Parliament, and acted as vice‑president of New Democracy (1993‑1997). He was also active in anti‑dictatorship resistance during the 1967‑1974 military regime, enduring arrest and detention.

A state funeral was held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, attended by President Konstantinos Tsatoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Speaker of Parliament, former presidents, former prime ministers, and other senior officials. Mitsotakis praised Varbatsis for shaping the Constitution and his dedication to public service, while other speakers highlighted his humility and cross‑party respect. Varbatsis’s son Miltiadis reflected on his father’s ability to inspire both respect and affection.

Varbatsis’s death marks the passing of a prominent post‑dictatorship political figure whose influence spanned domestic governance, foreign policy, and party leadership.