Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas, Greek lawyer and politician, 163rd Prime Minister of Greece (d. 1987)

Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas: A Pivotal Figure in 20th Century Greek Politics and Culture

Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas (Greek: Γεώργιος Αθανασιάδης-Νόβας), born on February 9, 1893, and passing away on August 10, 1987, at the age of 94, was a prominent Greek figure who left his mark as a poet, a respected lawyer, and a seasoned politician. His career, spanning several decades, culminated in his brief but historically significant tenure as Prime Minister of Greece in 1965, a period marked by profound political upheaval.

Early Life, Education, and Distinguished Political Career

Hailing from the historic town of Nafpaktos, nestled on the northern coast of the Gulf of Patras, Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas pursued his higher education at the esteemed University of Athens, where he successfully obtained his law degree. This legal foundation would serve as a cornerstone for his subsequent professional and political endeavors.

His parliamentary journey began in 1926 when he was first elected to the Greek Parliament, proudly representing his native prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania. Demonstrating consistent electoral appeal and dedication to public service, he was re-elected numerous times, holding his seat almost continuously until 1964. During this extensive period, Athanasiadis-Novas took on significant governmental responsibilities, serving in various ministerial capacities:

The Centre Union and the Tumultuous Year of 1965

A pivotal shift in Athanasiadis-Novas's political alignment occurred in 1961. Despite his conservative leanings, he joined the newly formed Centre Union (EK), a broad centrist coalition. This move reflected a growing discontent among various political factions, including many conservatives, who sought to challenge and oppose what they perceived as pervasive corruption within the right-wing governments of the era. The Centre Union, under the leadership of Georgios Papandreou, rapidly gained momentum.

Following the Centre Union's electoral victory in 1964, Athanasiadis-Novas's experience and standing within the party were recognized with his appointment as Speaker of the Greek Parliament, a high-ranking procedural role that oversees the legislative process and maintains order in the chamber.

However, 1965 proved to be a year of unprecedented political crisis in Greece, largely centered around the strained relationship between Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou and King Constantine II. On July 15, 1965, King Constantine II controversially dismissed Papandreou from his premiership. In the immediate aftermath, the King appointed Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas as the new Prime Minister of Greece. This royal intervention, bypassing the parliamentary majority, is famously known as the "Apostasia of 1965" (the "defection" or "apostasy").

Athanasiadis-Novas's appointment triggered a profound constitutional crisis. He attempted to form a government by drawing support from disaffected Centre Union conservatives who had defected with him, alongside backing from Members of Parliament (MPs) from the conservative National Radical Union. Despite these efforts, his nascent government failed to secure a vote of confidence in parliament, demonstrating a lack of broad political legitimacy. Consequently, his premiership was remarkably brief, lasting just over a month before he was replaced on August 20 of the same year. The Apostasia period plunged Greece into prolonged political instability, marked by successive short-lived governments and ultimately paving the way for the military coup of 1967.

Instrumental Role in the Restoration of Democracy

Nearly a decade later, in July 1974, Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas once again played a crucial role in Greek political history. As one of the respected elder statesmen, he was among the key politicians who actively brokered the peaceful transition away from the repressive military dictatorship known as the "Regime of the Colonels" (1967-1974). His involvement was vital in the negotiations that led to the appointment of Constantine Karamanlis, a seasoned conservative politician, as Prime Minister, signaling the definitive return of democratic rule to Greece after seven years of authoritarian governance.

Literary Pursuits and the "Gargalatas" Controversy

Beyond his extensive political and legal career, Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas harbored a passion for literature, dedicating time to writing poetry and prose. He published his literary works under the distinctive pen name "Georgios Athanas" (Γεώργιος Αθάνας). While contemporary literary critics generally found little artistic merit in his works, his poetry inadvertently gained an unusual form of notoriety. Ironically, his writings became a tool for his political detractors, who used them to satirize and ridicule what they perceived as his less-than-distinguished political career.

One particular stanza, often quoted and widely circulated, became the source of much amusement and even a comical nickname for him:

Itan ta stithia sou
Your breasts were
aspra san galata
White as milk
kai mou 'leges:
And you urged me
gargala ta
"Tickle them!"

This verse, particularly the final line, led to him being comically dubbed "Gargalatas," which translates to "Tickler." For decades, the authorship of this stanza was widely attributed to Athanasiadis-Novas and accepted as fact, fueling public ridicule and contributing to his somewhat controversial image. However, the true story behind this infamous stanza emerged much later. It was revealed to be an urban legend, intentionally fabricated by journalist Costas Stamatiou in an article published in the newspaper "Ta Nea," with the express purpose of lampooning Athanasiadis-Novas. The misinformation was finally corrected and the situation clarified by fellow journalist Lefteris Papadopoulos in a definitive article published in the same newspaper in 2004, almost two decades after Athanasiadis-Novas's passing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas

Who was Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas?
Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas was a notable Greek poet, lawyer, and politician who briefly served as Prime Minister of Greece in 1965, and played a significant role in the country's democratic restoration in 1974.
What was his connection to the "Apostasia of 1965"?
He was appointed Prime Minister by King Constantine II on July 15, 1965, after the King controversially dismissed Georgios Papandreou. This event, known as the "Apostasia" or "defection," caused a major political crisis and led to his short-lived government, which failed to win a vote of confidence in parliament.
What was the "Gargalatas" nickname about?
He was comically nicknamed "Gargalatas" ("Tickler") due to an urban legend that attributed a seemingly risqué stanza of poetry to him. It was later proven that the stanza was fabricated by a journalist to ridicule him, and he was not its actual author.
What was his role in ending the Regime of the Colonels?
In July 1974, he was among the key political figures who helped broker the peaceful transition from the military dictatorship (the Regime of the Colonels) back to democratic rule, facilitating the appointment of Constantine Karamanlis as Prime Minister.
Where was Georgios Athanasiadis-Novas born and when did he die?
He was born in Nafpaktos, Greece, on February 9, 1893, and passed away in Athens on August 10, 1987, at the age of 94.