Ioannis Varvitsiotis, former Greek minister and New Democracy vice-president, dies at 93

Death on his 93rd birthday

Ioannis Varvitsiotis, a towering figure of the Greek centre-right, died at his home in Athens at 15:30 on Sunday, 2 August 2026. The day of his death coincided with his 93rd birthday; he was born on 2 August 1933. Family members were at his side.

A pillar of the centre-right

Varvitsiotis was one of the longest-serving and most experienced political personalities of post-war Greece. A lawyer by training, he was elected repeatedly as an MP, first with the National Radical Union (ERE) and later with New Democracy. He was one of the last two surviving ERE MPs and the last surviving member of the 1961 Parliament. His parliamentary presence stretched across more than four decades.

Minister, vice-president, and MEP

He held several ministerial portfolios, including National Defence, National Education, and Commerce. From 1993 to 1997 he served as vice-president of New Democracy. Later, between 2004 and 2007, he was a Member of the European Parliament and led the party's parliamentary group there.

Tributes from party leadership

Deputy Prime Minister and current New Democracy vice-president Kostis Hatzidakis posted a tribute recalling their shared years in Brussels.

“Giannis Varvitsiotis was one of the pillars of our faction. A cadre with prestige, ethos, seriousness and an enduring presence. Always very popular with New Democracy voters and esteemed by all party leaders, starting with Konstantinos Karamanlis.”

Hatzidakis added that Varvitsiotis had always treated him with affection and trust, and that they had remained in contact until recent years. He closed his message by addressing the four children by name: "Sincere condolences to Miltiadis, Thomas, Eleni and Konstantinos. Good journey, President!"

Family and legacy

Varvitsiotis is survived by his four children: Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, a former minister; Eleni Varvitsioti, a journalist; Thomas Varvitsiotis, a businessman and strategic communication consultant; and Konstantinos Varvitsiotis. In his final years he gave reflective interviews, including one in 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of New Democracy's founding in October 1974.