Former PASOK Minister Vasso Papandreou has passed away at the age of 80. She had been facing serious health issues in recent years.

Her funeral will take place on Saturday, October 19, at 3:00 PM in Valimitika, Aigio.

Vasso Papandreou was a prominent figure in PASOK and the first female Commissioner of Greece in the then European Economic Community (EEC) from 1989 to 1993, during which time she clashed with conservative leaders, particularly Margaret Thatcher. As Minister of the Interior, she established Citizen Service Centers (KEP) and was instrumental in legislating a 33% participation rate for women in the candidate lists for the 2002 Regional and Municipal elections.

Born in Valimitika, Aigio, on December 9, 1944, Vasso Papandreou studied Economics at the then ASOEE (Athens University of Economics and Business) and continued her education in England, where she earned a master’s degree from the University of London and a doctorate from the University of Reading. She later taught at Oxford University.

Throughout her career, she served in various positions, including Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology (1985-1986), Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology (1986-1987), Deputy Minister of Commerce for issues related to the Greek Presidency in the Community (1988-1989), EEC Commissioner for Employment, Labor Relations, and Social Affairs, Human Resources, Education and Training, and Gender Equality (1989-1993), Minister of Development (1996-1999), Minister of Interior, Public Administration, and Decentralization (1999-2001), and Minister of the Environment, Physical Planning, and Public Works (2001-2004) in PASOK governments.