Karamanlis, Konstantinos

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Karamanlis, Konstantinos (1907–98) Greek statesman, prime minister (1955–63, 1974–80), president (1980–85, 1990–95). He was elected to Parliament in 1935. On becoming prime minister, he formed his own party, the National Radical Union (ERE). He resigned in 1963 after an election defeat. During 11 years of self-imposed exile, he was an opponent of the Greek military junta, and when it fell in 1974 he returned as prime minister at the head of the new Democratic Party (ND).

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