The revelations about the connections between a communications group close to the government and a PR agency are shaking up Greece’s political landscape. The opposition is speaking of a “deep state” and is demanding clarification regarding state-funded propaganda. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is coming under increasing pressure.
These developments have brought to light concerns about the relationship between government-affiliated communication networks and public relations agencies in Greece. The opposition has seized on these revelations, raising serious questions about the extent of state involvement in shaping public opinion and the possible use of public funds for propaganda purposes. They allege that such connections point to the existence of a “deep state,” a term used to describe influential networks operating behind the scenes and beyond democratic oversight.
The pressure on Prime Minister Mitsotakis is mounting as calls for transparency and accountability grow louder. Critics argue that these revelations are symptomatic of broader issues concerning media freedom and the influence of political power over information in Greece. This is not the first time the Greek government has faced accusations of undermining democratic institutions and media independence. For instance, recent debates in the European Parliament have highlighted grave concerns about threats to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights in Greece, with particular emphasis on the erosion of media freedom and the use of intelligence services to monitor opposition figures and journalists.
A new political storm is sweeping through Athens. At its center is a private company, political networks, and the accusation that a coordinated campaign to manipulate public opinion is being conducted using public funds. The investigative platform Inside Story has shed light on the agency Blue Skies, whose owner maintains close family and political ties to the governing party, Nea Dimokratia (ND).
Investigations reveal that the “Oμάδα Aλήθειας” (“Truth Group”), a highly active, pro-government communications apparatus, has for years been paid by Blue Skies. Among those involved are individuals who currently work, or have worked, for ND and the government press office. This was reported, for example, this week by the platform in.gr.
The reactions to these revelations have been intense. Opposition leader Nikos Androulakis (PASOK) posed the rhetorical question during a parliamentary debate: “Who is actually funding the digital goon squads hiding behind anonymous profiles and spreading disinformation?” He continued, “Is this a unit directly financed by ND, or a construct serving private interests?” Androulakis, himself a target of illegal surveillance using the controversial Predator spyware system, is personally familiar with the tactics of targeted character assassination.
The left-wing SYRIZA party also speaks of a “dark network” operating with public funds and a political mandate. According to the party, the Truth Group has not only targeted political opponents but also journalists and even relatives of victims of the national tragedy in Tempi—a shocking low point in political discourse.
The revelations cast a harsh light on the previously informal connections between the party, the state, and PR agencies. The media catchword “truth,” claimed by the Truth Group for itself, now appears in a new light. Is it really truth—or merely political instrumentalization?
At the center of the criticism is Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Not long ago, he accused the opposition in parliament of deploying armies of “bots” for political manipulation. Now it appears that the pro-government side itself is running a professionally organized network—with clear political objectives, substantial funding, and technical sophistication.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated, “The members of the Truth Group stand by their work with their faces. They fight against disinformation.” Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis also praised the group’s “historic contribution” to political debate.
However, the debate over transparency is far from over. Who commissioned the PR firm? Were state funds used? What about the awarding of public contracts to communications companies with personnel ties to party members? According to the opposition party New Left, this constitutes a modern form of a parastate—a shadow apparatus extending far beyond the traditional mechanisms of party and government.
Another notable detail: several social media accounts known for targeted defamation are reportedly linked to Blue Skies, according to Inside Story. One account in particular, using the pseudonym Lexotanil (a popular tranquilizer in Greece), is under scrutiny because research suggests a Blue Skies employee is behind it.
These revelations come at a difficult time for the government. The drama surrounding wiretapping scandals, the management of the Tempi disaster, and ongoing economic difficulties have already shaken confidence in ND. According to polls, the party continues to lose support and is only staying afloat due to a lack of alternatives among the opposition.
There is no end in sight to the affair. While the Prime Minister’s office remains silent, SYRIZA, PASOK, and the New Left have announced parliamentary initiatives to shed light on the financial and organizational entanglements between the government and the propaganda apparatus. If suspicions are confirmed that public funds have flowed into a private “truth factory,” a major scandal could erupt.
While there is no official “Ministry of Truth” in Greece, as the term might suggest, the current situation has led to accusations that the government is attempting to control the narrative through indirect means, such as close cooperation with PR agencies and communication groups. The opposition’s demand for a thorough investigation into these ties reflects a broader anxiety about the transparency of government actions and the safeguarding of democratic norms in the country.
Sources: In.gr: «Ομάδα Αλήθειας»: Υπουργοί επιβεβαιώνουν τη μισθοδοσία της από Βαρβιτσιώτη-Ολύμπιο – Ούτε λέξη για τα «δολοφονικά» μποτς και τρολ – 13. April 2025
In.gr: Με την πλάτη στον τοίχο ο Μητσοτάκης για την Blue Skies, εργοδότη της Ομάδας Αλήθειας – Σύγχρονο παρακράτος καταγγέλλει η Αντιπολίτευση – 11. April 2025
