George Papandreou quotes

George Papandreou is a Greek statesman and prominent politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece. He played a key role in navigating Greece through a severe financial crisis and implementing economic reforms. He remains an influential figure in Greek and international political affairs. Here are 54 of his quotes:

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

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

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

Everyone needs to carry out his own personal revolution.

George Papandreou

If you put all the European countries together, we are the biggest economy in the world.

George Papandreou

The real problem in Greece is not cutting taxes, it's making sure that we don't have tax evasion.

George Papandreou

The structures in Europe in a globalising economy need to be modernised, need to be more integrated, need to be stronger.

George Papandreou

There is this concept of politics as a dirty game. It's a difficult game, but it doesn't have to be dirty. I think this is what we need to bring to politics. I think politics around the world has very often been captured by big interests - 'lobbies' they call them in the States.

George Papandreou

I have always said I will be in politics to serve as best as I can and it will take me wherever it will take me.

George Papandreou

Every leader wants to put his or her imprint on the work that they do, and grow up in specific eras.

George Papandreou

Countries are not like financial markets. Social change cannot be executed as swiftly as credit-default swaps. You cannot sell short on social commitments and practical responsibilities.

George Papandreou

My hope is that we will turn Greece into maybe the most transparent country in the world with everything on the web.

George Papandreou

The more there is a European solution to a theoretical, but possible, problem in the markets, the less we will have to talk about an I.M.F. solution.

George Papandreou

In ancient Greece, politics and the market were not decoupled.

George Papandreou

Despite the deep reforms we are making, traders and speculators have forced interest rates on Greek bonds to record highs.

George Papandreou

There is this concept of politics as a dirty game.

George Papandreou

I have a deep sense of responsibility to my country and Greek people.

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

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

When I was growing up in the United States and Sweden, I never thought about becoming a politician.

George Papandreou

I never thought about becoming a politician. But during the military dictatorship, my grandfather was put in prison six times and my father twice. If my family and my country didn't have this history, I might be a professor somewhere today.

George Papandreou