George Papandreou Quotes

By Alan Reiner – July 18, 2024

‘We stand united, facing the big responsibility to change our country into a nation of justice, solidarity, humanity and green development.’ – George Papandreou

‘This idea that you’re a successful tough guy if you evade taxes and deceive the state has got to change.’ – George Papandreou

‘Unfortunately, corruption is widespread in government agencies and public enterprises. Our political system promotes nepotism and wasting money. This has undermined our legal system and confidence in the functioning of the state. One of the consequences is that many citizens don’t pay their taxes.’ – George Papandreou

‘We’re very proud to be part of the eurozone. But this comes with obligations and it is crucial we show the world we can live up to those obligations.’ – George Papandreou

‘There are certain moments in the history of a nation when the choices made define the decades to come.’ – George Papandreou

‘You can theorise about the options you have but in reality they are very specific.’ – George Papandreou

‘Everyone needs to carry out his own personal revolution.’ – George Papandreou

‘People would say you look weak if you’re not cursing the opposition and driving around in a big black car while always wearing a tie. Above all, to be ‘strong’ you’re always supposed to be giving orders.’ – George Papandreou

‘If Greece had gone through a very normal political life, I may have not been in politics. But just the fact that I lived through huge upheavals and very difficult struggles and polarization and the barbarism of dictatorships – that made me feel that we had to change this country.’ – George Papandreou

‘Greece has given Europe the opportunity to fix a defect in the euro zone, that is the fact that we did not have a fiscal union. Now steps have been taken to begin that process. And there is more solidarity from nation to nation, and that is a good thing. That has been Greece’s gift to Europe.’ – George Papandreou

‘It is important that the Greek people make decisions on important developments.’ – George Papandreou

‘Today I want to send a message of optismism to all Greeks. Our road, our path, will be more stabilised. Our country will be in a better situation. We will be stronger.’ – George Papandreou

‘As long as I feel I am doing what I think is right and just for my country, for the Greek people, that is enough for me. Saving Greece from this crisis was the first thing on the agenda. We are now on a much more normalised road.’ – George Papandreou

‘When I was growing up in the United States and Sweden, I never thought about becoming a politician.’ – George Papandreou

‘Politics also means educating people. It’s important to speak openly with our fellow Greeks, to tell them what our problems are and that we have to change something.’ – George Papandreou

‘I am proud of being a Greek of the diaspora.’ – George Papandreou

‘If we had a consensus we wouldn’t have to go to a referendum.’ – George Papandreou

‘We are on a difficult course, on a new Odyssey for Greece, but we know the road to Ithaca and have charted the waters.’ – George Papandreou

‘There is this concept of politics as a dirty game.’ – George Papandreou