on 23 july 1974 the greek military junta collapsed mainly because of the events in cyprus. greek political leaders in exile started returning to the country. on 24 july 1974 constantine karamanlis returned from paris and was sworn in as prime minister. he kept greece from entering the war, an act that was highly criticised as an act of treason. shortly after this nikos sampson renounced the presidency and glafcos clerides temporarily took the role of president.