The Greek crisis: austerity tested for political acceptability in Greek public opinion (2010)

Greece was among the countries most dramatically affected by the financial crisis of 2008. The Greek government deficit sky-rocketed as a result of increases in interest rates and extremely poor management. Greece sought assistance from the IMF and European Union in order to tackle debts estimated at 113% of the country’s GDP in 2010. They agreed to help the Greek government in return for a series of austerity measures: tackling tax avoidance, reducing the government deficit, cutting public sector bonuses and health spending, freezing public sector recruitment etc.

The Fondation pour l’innovation politique wanted to find out Greek people’s attitudes to this policy of austerity.

Polling organisation Ifop
Sample size 800
Age of interviewees
18 and above
Fieldwork dates 12 to 17 May 2010
Method of administration Telephone
Number of questions: 16
Countries Greece
Language used in the survey Greek
Results available in French

Photo credit : Shadowgate