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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
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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 • 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.
