Crisis & Communication: The

Case of Greece

George Petalotis

Ex Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government’s Spokesman

Greece before the Crisis

15 years of growth

Participation in the Economic & Monetary Union

Important infrastructure projects

Social development

High standards of living

Greece in Crisis

Global crisis affects Greek economy

2008: Greek economy in recession

Misleading statistics given to the EU by the previous government

Greek statistics become a “quick joke”

Greece in Crisis

National elections on the 4th October bring PASOK to power

PASOK government and Eurostat discover a deficit of 15,6% instead of 3% stated by the previous government

International credibility comes to zero

PASOK’s Actions

Communication strategy in two levels

1.Communication Policy abroad

Restoring international credibility

Diplomatic marathon

Development of task force in order to inform leaders, international opinion makers and media

Result: the development of EFSF

PASOK’s Actions

2. Communication Strategy in Greece

Participation in EFSF created a unique reality in Greece

Communication strategy focused totally on presenting the absolute truth with clarity and transparency

Situation in Greece

While other EFSF countries reached a minimum consensus in crisis resolution, Greece did not

Greek parties knew the situation but chose to act in an irresponsible way in order to gain votes

Greek citizens in the middle of two opposite sides: the government trying to talk to their logic and opposition trying to talk to their emotions and subconscious with rumors, conspiracy theories and magical solutions

Result: Greek people blamed the “fireman” not the “arsonist”

Communication Strategy verified

For 2,5 years PASOK was struggling alone while the other parties doubted its political choices

Today three parties, New Democracy, PASOK & Democratic Left, govern Greece and continue the same political choices they doubted before

There was no shift in policy. The two other parties followed the same policy.

Communication Model of the PASOK Government

Dominant doctrine: We speak the truth as it is

Formation of crisis management team

Producing a clear, simple message

Spill over of the governmental message via the media

Daily briefing to the Greek and foreign journalists

24/7 communication of the crisis management team

Social Media & Crisis

Social Media is a new reality that can’t be ignored

Social Media offer high speed in expanding ideas and views

Social Media work in favor when you want to distribute your idea, but it is impossible to deal with, when they turn against you

PASOK Government created Social Media accounts for the Prime Minister and the Ministries.

Digital Presence of the Government