Considering that Stefanos Manos’ “systemic” participation in the game of politics lasted just over 20 years, from 1977 to 1998, his accomplishments are all the more remarkable, both in quantity and quality. I will not try to list them; others have already done so. I will, though, make a rather obvious observation: Thanks to his accomplishments, Stefanos Manos (December 20, 1939 – August 15, 2026) has gone down in Greece’s modern history as one of a small circle of politicians who, as ministers, left a tangible and long-lasting legacy. How did he do this?
I will not dwell on his ability to see further into the future than most politicians of his generation. Solid studies, a comprehensive education and close observation of international development – he read at least two foreign newspapers every day – gave him this ability. Nor will I dwell on his determination to persist with the course of action he thought best, without regard for the political cost, unlike the majority of his peers – this courage, it should be noted, cost him electoral defeats and years of isolation in the political arena.
I will, however, dwell on an element of his work that has been largely overlooked: his diligent preparation of policy briefs. What did this involve? First and foremost, selecting the most capable associates, chiefly from among the permanent staff at the ministries in which he served. He believed political appointments “from above” should be sparing and should be the exception rather than the rule, as is generally the case with most ministers today. He preferred to rely on career civil servants, among whom, he maintained, there were – and still are, though unfortunately left on the sidelines – many officials of the highest caliber and individuals of exceptional integrity. His challenge was how to inspire them with enthusiasm.
