In the light of publicity came the first major investigation for the Picture of Greece in Germanywith its publication and presentation in Athens, in the “Seventh” area. A commentator in the research is Ronald Mainardus, who highlights the usefulness of polls as a tool for social and political self -knowledge. “Polls are an integral part of our lives, determine trends and influence public opinion – especially before electoral clashes”he observes himself. However, it emphasizes the distinctive nature of this poll, as it is an unprecedented research that illuminates how the Germans see Greece.

Positive Image of Greece in Germany

The survey conducted by Kapa Research was based on a representative sample of 1,000 people from all over Germany and aroused the interest of politicians, diplomats and experts in Greek -German relations. To date, the image of Germany in Greece has been fully explored, but not the other way around. ‘This asymmetry is coming to an end’ The commentator notes as the new study comes to fill this gap.

The results of the survey are clearly: 66% of Germans has positive or very positive opinion on Greece. Greece in the mind of the average German is associated with vacation, sun, good weather, Greek cuisine and hospitable people – images of EOT brochures. Negative associations such as “crisis”, “poverty” or “bankruptcy” are only 10%recorded. In German consciousness, Metaxa, ouzo and retsina outweigh the economic difficulties of the previous decade.

Unfiltered memories and challenges in relationships

Despite the clearly positive tendency in German public opinion, the past still throws shadows in the collective memory of Greek society. According to the study, the Germans appear more positive towards Greece than Greeks in Germany – one ‘Reverse Psychology’ Explained by historical traumas, such as Nazi occupation and demands of war compensation, as well as the management of the economic crisis by Germany, which continue to fuel the memories of the Greeks.

Greek -Turkish and attitude of the German public

An important part of the research concerns Greek -Turkish relations. Although there is partially understanding about Greek positions, the majority of respondents in Germany chooses to maintain a neutral stance on Greek -Turkish issues, largely in line with the timeless attitude of the German governments. Nevertheless, 33% states that it clearly supports Greece while only 14% It expresses a preference for Turkey.

The Role of the Greek Diaspora in Germany

Separate reference is made to the crowded Greek diaspora of about 500,000 Greeks in Germany. German society nourishes a positive image for them, considers them embedded and characterizes their community ‘Invisible minority’. However, politically their presence remains discreet – a “missed opportunity”, as shown by research, since the majority of the Germans expresses a desire for greater political activation of Greeks in Germany and to strengthen their role in bilateral relations.

The study bears the title “Greece Through German Eyes: Beyond Stereotypes in German-Greek Relations” And it is based on a poll conducted by Kapa Research in March 2024 on behalf of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Fes) in Athens, illuminating new data in modern Greek -German relations.