Nikolaos Makarezos
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2007) |
Nikolaos Makarezos Νικόλαος Μακαρέζος | |
---|---|
Deputy Prime Minister of Greece | |
In office 26 August 1971 – 8 October 1973 Serving with Stylianos Pattakos | |
Prime Minister | Georgios Papadopoulos |
Preceded by | Grigorios Spandidakis |
Succeeded by | Charilaos Mitrelias |
Personal details | |
Born | 1919 Gravia, Phocis, Kingdom of Greece |
Died | 3 August 2009 Athens |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Greece |
Branch/service | Hellenic Army |
Years of service | 1940–1974 |
Rank | Colonel |
Wars | World War II Greek Civil War |
Nikolaos Makarezos (
Early life and career
He was born in 1919 in the village of
Junta
Along with fellow Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos and Brigadier Stylianos Pattakos, he led the group of mid-ranking officers that overthrew the government of Panagiotis Kanellopoulos in a coup d'état on 21 April 1967 and established a military regime—the "Junta of the Colonels"—that lasted for seven years. Makarezos was a central figure in most of the ensuing dictatorial governments, as Coordination Minister until August 1971 and from then on until October 1973 as Deputy Prime Minister. Among the senior junta leadership, he alone had a knowledge of economics, so he was entrusted with the country's economy. The early years of the regime saw a notable economic boom, with increased development rates, low unemployment and low inflation. This was achieved through extensive foreign investments, the construction of infrastructure projects and considerable investments in the tourism industry. By 1973 however, the rate of development had begun falling, and the widespread corruption and financial scandals, as well as political stagnation, resulted in a drop in the regime's popularity. When Papadopoulos attempted to slowly democratize the regime in 1973, appointing the civilian Spyros Markezinis as Prime Minister, Makarezos was dropped from his government role.
Later life
Following the collapse of the junta in July 1974, Makarezos was placed under arrest and sent to the island of
Since 1990, Makarezos was released from jail on medical grounds on successive temporary leaves, but was confined to his house. He claimed to have regrets for many of his actions but continued to boast about his economic achievements during the junta. He died on August 3, 2009.
References
- ^ "www.elkosmos.gr" Απεβίωσε ο Νικόλαος Μακαρέζος (in Greek). Ελεύθερος Κόσμος. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03.