The KAS Media Program South East Europe is increasing its cooperation with PR specialists from the political sphere. The idea behind this is that transparency in politics not only needs good journalists – governments and parties must also explain their actions comprehensibly. In 2013 the KAS consequently joined in establishing the first European professional association for government spokespersons, SEECOM. Since 2013 there is another network for spokespersons of political parties, which goes back to seminars in the KAS Academy in Cadenabbia (Italy). Mostly participants from this circle took up the invitation to a programme of dialogue in Berlin from 18th to 24th May. This was organised by the KAS Media Program South East Europe and the KAS Head Office.

The press spokespersons, PR managers and social media experts from eight countries, from Albania to Slovenia, met together for five days with renowned political managers, foreign policy experts and representatives of prominent media outlets. The aim was to find new ideas for the development of political communication in the Balkans, but also to discuss differences to Germany.

The visitors, the majority of whom were associated with the European People‘s Party (EPP), on the first day were mainly interested in election campaign strategies. With CDU General Manager Dr. Klaus Schüler they discussed the correct way to focus campaigns. The main examples were the successful Merkel election campaign in 2013 and this year’s European election. Schüler’s colleagues Dr. Stefan Hennewig (Internal Management) and Uwe Göpel (Social Media) explained further aspects of election campaign communications. In the discussion, dialogue with the public proved to be particularly important. A number of questions from participants were directed to the online strategy of the CDU, which has considerably recovered its position as a conservative party in recent years on the internet. On the following day, Schüler’s predecessor in the CDU, currently MSL Consultant, Peter Radunski, gave further tips from experience over decades of campaigning.

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