In Conversation with George A Papandreou Democracy, Crisis and Resilience
Published: 21 January 2026
This conversation with George A. Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece, discusses his experience and what we can learn from his time in office.
How do democracies navigate periods of deep crisis? What can Europe learn from Greece’s turbulent decade? This special In Conversation event with former Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou reflected on leadership, governance, and democratic resilience in an era of global uncertainty.
George A. Papandreou served as Prime Minister of Greece during one of the most consequential periods in modern European political history. His government faced the onset of the Eurozone crisis, the pressure of international markets, and intense political polarisation, yet Greece remained anchored in democracy and the European project.
In this moderated conversation, Mr Papandreou highlighted:
- The political, economic and social challenges Greece confronted during the crisis
- What crisis leadership looks like “from the inside”
- How democracies adapt under extreme pressure
- What Greece’s experience can teach other societies facing democratic stress today
The event concluded with a moderated Q&A with opportunities for both in-person and online audiences to participate.
This public talk is part of a wider University of Glasgow symposium organised by the Peaceful, Secure and Empowered Societies (PSES) network and the Greek Politics Specialist Group (GPSG).
First published: 21 January 2026