Former Greek Minister Stefanos Manos dies at 87

Stefanos Manos, a prominent figure in Greek politics and a former minister, has passed away at the age of 87. Manos had been facing health issues in recent years.

His political career spanned more than three decades. During his tenure, he held significant positions such as Minister of the Environment, National Economy, and Finance. He was also the founder of the Liberal Party and a co-founder of the party Draxi. Manos was recognized for his distinct political views, which frequently ignited public debate on various issues.

Born in Athens in December 1939, Manos was the son of surgeon Alexandros Manos and Marietta Panoutsou. He pursued a career in mechanical engineering, specializing in aerodynamics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, and later earned an MBA from Harvard University. Before entering politics, he held senior management positions in the business sector, notably at Allatini S.A.

Manos was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Athens B with the New Democracy party in 1977, subsequently serving as Deputy Minister of Public Works. He held several government positions over the years. Under Konstantinos Mitsotakis's government, he served as Minister of the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works, and later as Minister of National Economy and Finance.

In 1998, a disagreement with the then-leader of New Democracy, Kostas Karamanlis, led to his expulsion from the party. A year later, he founded the Liberal Party. In 2004, he was elected to the Greek Parliament as an independent, collaborating with PASOK. In 2009, he co-founded "Draxi" with Vassilis Kontogiannopoulos and Giannis Boutaris, continuing his political engagement with a focus on liberal reforms and changes to state operations.

Minister of State Akis Skertsos paid tribute to Manos, writing on Facebook, "We bid him farewell with respect, sadness, but also gratitude." He added, "To engage in politics without seeking to be liked but constantly useful as an active and rational citizen. This, for me, is Stefanos Manos's political legacy. We bid him farewell with respect, sadness, and gratitude for the distinct path he forged in public affairs until the end. Sincere condolences to his relatives."

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To engage in politics without seeking to be liked but constantly useful as an active and rational citizen. This, for me, is Stefanos Manos's political legacy. We bid him farewell with respect, sadness, and gratitude for the distinct path he forged in public affairs until the end. Sincere condolences to his relatives.