One of the main principles of propaganda is to create imaginary enemies; vague, invisible entities, the “bad guys” in a simplified story of the good “us” against “them”.
Common phrases one would hear coming from the lips of the Greek cabinet and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras are “they try to undermine us”, “some sabotage the efforts of the government”, “they want to see Greece go bankrupt”, “some circles resort to blackmailing us”.
Who is “they” or “some” is never specified. They are as vague as the “oligarchs”, “corruption”, “clientelism”, enemies the Greek government is fervently fighting against. And is winning, of course. Every minister and deputy would tell the media that he or she “is fighting every day.” Most of the time they are just “fighting” in general.
Recently a journalist asked the prime minister who are the corrupt ones he keeps referring to and asked for names. Tsipras wore his winning smile and answered: “Who am I to give names, the yellow pages?”
On Friday’s “Hour of the Prime Minister” in Greek Parliament, Tsipras took the podium as if he was returning victorious from a battle against the vast army of Xerxes.
First he said that Greek bank recapitalization was a big success because in the summer it was estimated that the total bill would be 25 billion euros when in fact it only cost 5.5 billion euros. As if saying that Greece won 19.5 billion euros and the 5.5 billion is not borrowed money. Again, he attacked “those” who wished the recapitalization would fail. Without naming names. He also apologized ironically to “those who wanted to blackmail the government bringing back Grexit scenarios.”
Basking in his victorious celebration of bank recapitalization “that was completed to the benefit of Greek people”, he forgot to mention that bank shares sold for 2 to 6 cents a share and many of the shares went to foreign investors.
Then he spoke about the successful handling of the migrant issue. Forgetting that tens of thousands are in Greek soil unregistered and not qualifying for refugee status. For Tsipras the fact that there is no plan on what to do with all the illegal migrants who are stranded in Greece and refuse to go back to their countries of origin is secondary to the fact that the opposition parties try to reap political benefits from the government’s inadequacy to handle the problem.
Nevertheless, the prime minister believes that he won the migration battle against “those who raise fences in Europe” and “those who want Greece to become a warehouse of human souls”.
Only three days ago, the enemy of the week was the International Monetary Fund, with the government asking for the fund not to participate in Greece’s third bailout. That was another battle Tsipras gave for the eyes of his voters, as an act of leftist defiance flying in the eye of capitalism.
Until Europe reminded Tsipras that when he signed the memorandum of understanding for Greece’s third bailout, the participation of the IMF was part of the deal.
Nevertheless, the government spokesperson hinted something about the “bad Germans” who want to bring back Grexit scenarios. It was a good act to show the constituency that Tsipras is still the defiant, fighting, leftist rebel who would never wear a tie.
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