# Konstantinos Karamanlis

> Greek politician and lawyer (1907–1998), Prime Minister of Greece intermittently between 1955–80, President from 1980–85, 1990–95

**Wikidata**: [Q156806](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q156806)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstantinos_Karamanlis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/konstantinos-karamanlis

## Summary
Konstantinos Karamanlis was a prominent Greek politician who served as the Prime Minister of Greece intermittently between 1955 and 1980 and as the President of the Hellenic Republic from 1980 to 1985 and again from 1990 to 1995. A central figure in modern Greek history, he founded the National Radical Union and later the New Democracy party, playing a pivotal role in the country's political stabilization and European integration.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 8, 1907
- **Nationality**: Greek (Citizenship: Greece)
- **Education**: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- **Known for**: Serving as Prime Minister of Greece (1955–1980) and President (1980–1985, 1990–1995); founding the New Democracy party.
- **Employer(s)**: Government of Greece (as Prime Minister and President); National Radical Union (Founder/Leader); New Democracy (Founder/Leader)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Public Administration

## Contributions
Konstantinos Karamanlis's primary contributions were political and institutional, shaping the modern Greek state and its international standing.
- **Founding Political Parties**: He established the National Radical Union in 1955 and later founded the New Democracy party on October 4, 1974, which became a major force in Greek politics.
- **Leadership Roles**: He led the Greek government as Prime Minister for multiple terms between 1955 and 1980, overseeing significant periods of development and transition.
- **Presidency**: He served as the President of the Hellenic Republic during two distinct periods: 1980–1985 and 1990–1995, acting as the head of state during critical eras of Greek democracy.
- **European Integration**: His leadership facilitated Greece's alignment with European structures, a legacy recognized by the awarding of the Charlemagne Prize for work in the service of European unification.

## FAQs
**What were the key political offices held by Konstantinos Karamanlis?**
Karamanlis served as the Prime Minister of Greece intermittently from 1955 to 1980. He later transitioned to the role of President, holding the office from 1980 to 1985 and again from 1990 to 1995.

**Which political parties did Konstantinos Karamanlis establish or lead?**
He was the founder and leader of the National Radical Union, established in 1955. Additionally, he founded the New Democracy party in 1974, which remains a significant political entity in Greece.

**What major international awards did Konstantinos Karamanlis receive?**
He was honored with the Charlemagne Prize for his contributions to European unification. His international recognition also includes the Robert Schuman Medal, the Bavarian Order of Merit, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

**Where did Konstantinos Karamanlis receive his higher education?**
He was educated at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the oldest higher education institution in modern Greece, which was established in 1837.

## Why They Matter
Konstantinos Karamanlis is a foundational figure in contemporary Greek history, responsible for steering the nation through the restoration of democracy and its integration into the European community. His establishment of the New Democracy party created a stable political framework that defined Greek conservatism for decades. Without his leadership during the transition periods of the 1970s and 1980s, the trajectory of Greece's modernization and its relationship with the European Union might have been significantly different. His dual tenure as both Prime Minister and President underscores his unique role in bridging executive and ceremonial leadership during the country's most transformative years.

## Notable For
- Serving as Prime Minister of Greece for three decades (intermittently 1955–1980).
- Acting as President of the Hellenic Republic during two separate terms (1980–1985, 1990–1995).
- Founding the New Democracy political party in 1974.
- Founding the National Radical Union in 1955.
- Receiving the Charlemagne Prize for work in the service of European unification.
- Being awarded the Robert Schuman Medal by the EPP Group.
- Receiving the Bavarian Order of Merit.
- Being decorated as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
- Being educated at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
- Holding Greek citizenship and serving as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Konstantinos Karamanlis was born on March 8, 1907. He pursued his higher education at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the oldest university in modern Greece, which was founded in 1837. This institution, located in Athens, is a public research university and a prestigious academic center where Karamanlis received the foundational training for his future political career.

### Political Career and Party Leadership
Karamanlis's political influence began with the formation of the National Radical Union in 1955, a party that became a dominant force in Greek politics. He served as the Prime Minister of Greece intermittently between 1955 and 1980, a period marked by significant political shifts. In 1974, he founded the New Democracy party on October 4, which replaced the National Radical Union and became a cornerstone of the Greek political landscape. His leadership roles extended to the highest office in the land, as he served as President of the Hellenic Republic from 1980 to 1985 and again from 1990 to 1995.

### International Recognition and Awards
His contributions to European stability and unification were recognized with the prestigious Charlemagne Prize. Karamanlis also received the Robert Schuman Medal, an award presented by the EPP Group for peace and European integration efforts. His international standing was further cemented by receiving the Bavarian Order of Merit and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. These honors reflect his significant impact on the geopolitical landscape of Europe.

### Institutional Affiliations and Memberships
Karamanlis was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, an organization established in 1949 to promote democracy and human rights. His career was deeply intertwined with the institutions of the Greek state, and his legacy is preserved through his association with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where he was educated. He is identified in various international databases with unique identifiers such as the VIAF ID 137430799 and the ISNI 0000000121550800, linking him to global knowledge networks.

### Legacy and Historical Context
As a human and a politician, Karamanlis's life spanned a critical era in Greek history, from the post-war period through the restoration of democracy. His work as a member of the government and his leadership in founding major political parties shaped the modern Greek state. The dates of his birth (1907) and death (April 23, 1998) mark the timeline of his influence, which continues to be referenced in historical and political analyses of Greece. His name appears in numerous bibliographic records and digital archives, ensuring his contributions remain accessible for future study.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/312125/Konstantinos-Karamanlis)
2. BnF authorities
3. [To Vima](http://www.tovima.gr/culture/article/?aid=112227)
4. Hellenic Parliament
5. Parliamentary Assembly Members A-Z since 1949
6. [Der Karlspreisträger 1978 Konstantin Karamanlis](http://www.karlspreis.de/de/preistraeger/konstantin-karamanlis-1978/vita)
7. Helsingin Sanomat. 1991
8. SNAC
9. Find a Grave
10. Integrated Authority File
11. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
12. Proleksis Encyclopedia
13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. CONOR.SI