Greeks to vote on bailout deal
Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras has announced he will hold a referendum on whether to accept a bailout deal with the country’s creditors.
In a statement he said that the government is being called on to accept unbearable austerity measures.
European leaders attempted to thrash out an agreement before Athens hits a crucial repayment deadline in days that carries the risk of bankruptcy and euro-exit, and finance ministers will continue talks.
A deal on an austerity package is vital for creditors to unfreeze €7.2 billion in bailout money that would resolve the country’s most immediate financial woes.
The popular vote will be held on whether to accept a debt financing deal on July 5.
Konstantinos Chrysogonos, a Syriza MEP, told BBC 2’s Newsnight: “It’s obvious that the deal that creditors are proposing to the Greek government is beyond the popular mandate this government has.”
He added: “There was probably no other way but to submit the demands of the creditors to a referendum.”
Mr Chrysogonos said it was not clear yet what recommendation the government would make in the run up to the vote.
“I don’t know what the suggestion of the government will be, whether it will be to accept or to withdraw or to refuse the demands of the creditors.
“This remains to be seen. It remains to be seen what the verdict of the Greek people will be.”
Athens has debts with the International Monetary Fund debts worth €1.6 billion.
