The Greek economic crisis (since 2009) has multiple ideological and political implications. An important aspect of these developments involves the national self-image and enemy stereotypes. A prominent manifestation of the processes generated by the crisis is the establishment of a widespread anti-German attitude. The German enemy stereotype apart from its synchronic aspect has also historical and cultural roots which can be traced back to the Second World War and its consequences. The negative image of contemporary Germany is constructed upon memories and symbols of Nazism. It also reflects on the image of European Union which is perceived as an institutional setting under German hegemony. In this context, the austerity measures dictated by the loan agreements are denounced by a large part of political and media elites as foreign intervention and suppression of national sovereignty shaping the discursive construction of “occupation”. Far from being marginal, the interpretative scheme of occupation has penetrated both in right-ward and left-ward political discourse, while some party formations have constructed their political and communication strategy upon it. We should also take into account the current instability and restructuring of the Greek party system and the pressures stemming from the revival of nationalism and populism. A most disturbing symptom of these processes is the rise of the neo-Nazi party of Golden Dawn. As far as Greek public opinion is concerned, the perception of victimhood is of crucial importance. Even though the ideological and conceptual connotations of victimhood are not homogenous, its association with the image of an external enemy is very popular and has various manifestations.
