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Karamanlis

Karamanlis

[kahr-uh-mahn-lis; Gk. kah-rah-mahn-lees]
Karamanlis, or Caramanlis, Constantine, 1907-98, president of Greece (1980-85, 1990-95), b. Turkish Macedonia. A member of parliament in 1935-36, he was reelected in 1946 and held various cabinet posts until Oct., 1955, when he became Greece's youngest premier. He held that post until June, 1963, except for brief intervals in 1958 and 1961, while his right-wing National Radical Union continued to gain majorities in the general elections. A partisan of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Karamanlis reached (1959) agreement with Great Britain and Turkey over Cyprus. In 1959 he announced a five-year plan (1960-64) for the Greek economy, emphasizing improvement of agricultural and industrial production. After his cabinet fell in 1963, Karamanlis went into exile abroad. He was a vocal opponent of the military junta that seized power in Greece in 1967. In July, 1974, the junta fell, following a disastrous military venture in Cyprus. Karamanlis returned as premier and leader of the New Democratic party, which gained a substantial majority in the elections of Nov., 1974. He began immediately to undo the work of the military government, reestablishing civil liberties and presiding over the restoration of democracy. A plebiscite in Dec., 1975, made Greece a republic and abolished the monarchy. Karamanlis served as prime minister until 1980 and as president from 1980 to 1985. He oversaw Greece's entry (1981) into the European Community (now the European Union). He held the presidency again in 1990-95, and was succeeded by Kostis Stephanopoulos.
Karamanlis, Costas (Konstantinos Alexandrou Karamanlis), 1956-, Greek politician, b. Athens. The nephew of Constantine Karamanlis, he is a lawyer and member of the center-right New Democratic party (NDP; founded by his uncle). He was first elected to parliament in 1989 and rose quickly in the NDP, becoming a member of its central committee in 1993 and party leader in 1997. When the NDP soundly defeated the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) in 2004, Karamanlis became prime minister. In office, he emphasized fighting political and economic corruption, privatization of some state-run enterprises and job creation, and improving education and other services, but was only partially successful. His government narrowly retained its majority after the 2007 elections, but lost a snap election in 2009 when it was hurt by corruption scandals and a worsening economy. Karamanlis subsequently resigned as NDP leader.
or Constantine Caramanlis

(born March 8, 1907, Próti, near Sérrai, Macedonia, Ottoman Empire—died April 23, 1998, Athens, Greece) Greek prime minister (1955–63, 1974–80) and president (1980–85, 1990–95). In various cabinet posts after World War II (1946–55), he helped rebuild Greece's war-torn economy. Chosen prime minister in 1955, he formed a government and a new conservative party, the National Radical Union. In 1960 he established an independent republic on Cyprus to ease tensions with Britain and Turkey over the island. He resigned in 1963 and lived in exile in Paris until 1974. Recalled as prime minister, he subordinated the military to civilian authority to restore democracy, averted war with Turkey over Cyprus, and oversaw the adoption of a new constitution that strengthened the presidency. In 1975 he held a referendum that resulted in the abolition of the monarchy. In 1980 he resigned as prime minister and was elected president. He helped effect Greece's entry into the European Community in 1981. He resigned in 1985, then was reelected president in 1990.

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or Constantine Caramanlis

(born March 8, 1907, Próti, near Sérrai, Macedonia, Ottoman Empire—died April 23, 1998, Athens, Greece) Greek prime minister (1955–63, 1974–80) and president (1980–85, 1990–95). In various cabinet posts after World War II (1946–55), he helped rebuild Greece's war-torn economy. Chosen prime minister in 1955, he formed a government and a new conservative party, the National Radical Union. In 1960 he established an independent republic on Cyprus to ease tensions with Britain and Turkey over the island. He resigned in 1963 and lived in exile in Paris until 1974. Recalled as prime minister, he subordinated the military to civilian authority to restore democracy, averted war with Turkey over Cyprus, and oversaw the adoption of a new constitution that strengthened the presidency. In 1975 he held a referendum that resulted in the abolition of the monarchy. In 1980 he resigned as prime minister and was elected president. He helped effect Greece's entry into the European Community in 1981. He resigned in 1985, then was reelected president in 1990.

Learn more about Karamanlis, Konstantinos with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Karamanlis (Greek: Καραμανλής) (also spelled Caramanlis) may refer to:

  • Karamania, a region of Asia Minor in Turkey
  • Karamanlides, a Eastern Orthodox Christian who speaks Turkish

Karamanlis is also the name of a prominent Greek family whose members include:

Karamanli may refer to:

*Ahmed Karamanli (r. 1711 - 1745), the dynasty's founder
*Hamet Karamanli
*Yusuf Karamanli (r. 1795 - 1832)

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