2015 Greek bailout referendum

none November 2020 Should the agreement plan submitted by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund to the Eurogroup of 25 June 2015, and comprised y of two parts which make up their joint proposal, be accepted? The first document is titled "Reforms For The Completion Of The Current Program And Beyond" and the second "Preliminary Debt Sustainability Analysis." Greece 5 July 2015 2245537 3558450 6161140 9858508 Tsipras government agrees to the bailout agreement with European authorities despite the referendum resultsFinance minister Yanis Varoufakis resigns Greek referendum 2015 map.svg constituency Results by regional unit#FFD5D5 >50–55% No #FFAAAA >55–60% No #FF696D >60–65% No #FF2A2A >65–70% No #D40000 >70–75% No A referendum to decide whether Greece should accept the bailout conditions in the country's government-debt crisis proposed jointly by the European Commission (EC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB) on 25 June 2015 took place on 5 July 2015.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33296839 Greece debt crisis: Tsipras announces bailout referendum BBC News 27 June 2015 The referendum was announced by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in the early morning of 27 June 2015 and ratified the following day by the Parliament and the President. It was the first referendum to be held since the republic referendum of 1974 and the only one in modern Greek history not to concern the form of government. As a result of the referendum, the bailout conditions were rejected by a majority of over 61% to 39%, with the "No" vote winning in all of Greece's regions. The referendum results also forced the immediate resignation of New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras as party president because of the perceived negative result of the "Yes" choice, to which the conservative party and Samaras had committed themselves.http://www.ekathimerini.com/198993/article/ekathimerini/news/greek-conservative-opposition-chief-samaras-resigns Greek conservative opposition chief Samaras resigns Ekathimerini 5 July 2015 5 July 2015 Although winning the referendum, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis also resigned and was replaced on 6 July by Euclid Tsakalotos. Despite the result of the referendum, the government of Tsipras reached an agreement on 13 July 2015 with the European authorities for a three-year-bailout with even harsher austerity conditions than the ones already rejected by voters. This represented a "drastic turnaround" for Prime Minister Tsipras' position, as he had been elected in an anti-austerity platform. Former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis characterised the harshness of the deal as a new Treaty of Versailles and "Greece's Terms of Surrender".https://www.politico.eu/article/varoufakis-greece-deal-new-versailles-surrender-blog-parliament/ Varoufakis calls Greek deal 'new Versailles' Brown Stephen 15 July 2015 Politico 25 September 2018 In July and August, Tsipras was able to get the new austerity packages and the entire bailout agreement approved by the Parliament, but had to rely on the pro-European Union opposition parties as around 40 MPs of the major ruling party abstained or voted against the measures.Greek parliament approves bailout prior measures package https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eurozone-greece/greek-parliament-approves-bailout-prior-measures-package-idUSKBN0P40EO20150715 Reuters 15 July 2015 25 September 2018As Greek Bailout Deal Passes, Alexis Tsipras Faces Rebellion https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/15/world/europe/greece-bailout-vote.html The New York Times 14 August 2015 25 September 2018 This triggered the September 2015 snap election, where Tsipras was re-elected, albeit with an historical low turnout. The second Tsipras government was marked by an intense austerity policy in the context of the third bailout to Greece. Greece officially exited from the bailout programs in August 2018 (three years after the referendum) and the Tsipras government announced some social cohesion measures such as increases in pensions and aid packages for low-income groups.Έξοδος από το μνημόνιο: Οι πρώτοι ωφελούμενοι The economy has also seen growth, albeit at a slow pace.ΕΛΣΤΑΤ: Ανοδος του ΑΕΠ κατά 2,2% το γ' τρίμηνο 2018 However, these developments have not diminished criticism levelled at the Syriza government for its U-turn and the huge economic and social cost of austerity policies it imposed. Background The referendum was announced by Tsipras in the early morning of 27 June 2015. No prior notice of the decision was given to the Eurogroup. EU taken by surprise by Greek referendum http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/69776916/eu-taken-by-surprise-by-greek-referendum Stuff 2015-07-10 29 June 2015 In the early hours of 28 June 2015, Parliament voted on whether or not the government's proposed bailout referendum should be held, with 178 MPs (Syriza, ANEL and Golden Dawn) for, 120 MPs (all other parties) against and two MPs abstaining.Traynor Ian Hooper John Greek banks to stay closed on Monday https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jun/28/greek-crisis-ecb-decide-emergency-funding 6 July 2015 The Guardian 28 June 2015 Referendum question thumb|left|Ballot paper used in the referendum (ΟΧΙ = No, ΝΑΙ = Yes) Voters were asked whether they approve of the proposal made to Greece by the Juncker Commission, the IMF and the ECB during the Eurogroup meeting on 25 June. This proposal with a list of 10 prior action items https://web.archive.org/web/20150628235523/http://europa.eu/rapid/attachment/IP-15-5270/en/List%20of%20prior%20actions%20-%20version%20of%2026%20June%2020%2000.pdf 28 June 2015 http://europa.eu/rapid/attachment/IP-15-5270/en/List%20of%20prior%20actions%20-%20version%20of%2026%20June%2020%2000.pdf EU-IMF-ECB proposal with 10 prior action items 28 June 2015 28 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150628235523/http://europa.eu/rapid/attachment/IP-15-5270/en/List%20of%20prior%20actions%20-%20version%20of%2026%20June%2020%2000.pdf dead was published by the commission, but withdrawn when negotiations were abandoned shortly after. The Greek government thus asked to vote on two previous documents, titled "Reforms For The Completion Of The Current Program And Beyond" and "Preliminary Debt Sustainability Analysis.".el Στις 5 Ιουλίου ψηφίζουμε «ναι» ή «όχι» στην πρόταση των «θεσμών» https://web.archive.org/web/20150629174448/https://www.efsyn.gr/arthro/ayto-einai-erotima-toy-dimopsifismatos 29 June 2015 The possible answers were stated as "Not approved/No" and "Approved/Yes".el Hellenic Parliament, 27 June 2015el Αυτό είναι το ερώτημα του δημοψηφίσματος που προτείνει η κυβέρνηση Legality concerns Evangelos Venizelos from PASOK party, as well as To Potami and New Democracy parties, said that the proposed referendum would be unconstitutional, as the constitution does not allow for referendums on fiscal matters.el Βενιζέλος: «Αντισυνταγματικό το δημοψήφισμα!» Article 44, section 2 provides for two referendum procedures, one for 'crucial national matters' (first clause) and a second for Bills passed by Parliament regulating important social matters, except for the fiscal ones' (second clause).The Constitution of Greece, Article 44, Section 2. The Syriza-led government argued the referendum was in accordance with the first clause, and therefore not unconstitutional. The Athens Bar Association (DPS), which is the largest legal association in Greece, raised a range of concerns about whether the referendum law approved by the Hellenic Parliament and President of Greece was legal. They said the call of referendum and the referendum question itself, featured "significant problems on the validity and meaning of voting "yes"/"no" in that referendum", in a situation where the result of such referendum could have major importance for the future of Greece. Procedural guarantees for calling referendums provided for by law 4023/2011, as well as Constitutional requirements (Article 44, sections 2 and 3) regarding which issues could be put to a referendum, were assessed not to have been met.http://www.dsa.gr/%CE%BD%CE%AD%CE%B1/%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%8E%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%82/%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%86%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%8D-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B2%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B4%CF%83%CE%B1-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%B4%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%88%CE%AE%CF%86%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82-5%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85-2015 Decision of the Board of DPS for the referendum on 5 July 2015 (Απόφαση του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου του ΔΣΑ για το δημοψήφισμα της 5ης Ιουλίου 2015) el Athens Bar Association (DPS) 30 June 2015 3 July 2015 5 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150705200747/http://www.dsa.gr/%CE%BD%CE%AD%CE%B1/%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%8E%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%82/%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%86%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%8D-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B2%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B4%CF%83%CE%B1-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%B4%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%88%CE%AE%CF%86%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82-5%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85-2015 dead On 1 July, Bloomberg reported they had found a translation mistake in the Greek version of the "Preliminary Debt Sustainability Analysis" part of the Institutions "unified proposal" being put to referendum. In this part there were three debt sustainability scenarios, and under the first two the original English document concludes that "this gross financing need metric points to no sustainability issues"Preliminary Debt Sustainability Analysis for Greece, original in English. (Bloomberg's wording for the conclusion was "that there are no sustainability issues") when the country's financing needs are taken into account, while the official Greek translation published to Greek voters and sent to reporters on 29 June, was missing the word "no", so that the Greek text reads "there are sustainability issues".https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-01/it-s-not-all-greek-to-voters-as-key-debt-document-mistranslated Key Greek Referendum Debt Document Mistranslated Bloomberg L.P. 1 July 2015 Nikos Chrysoloras This finding stressed the importance of the second concern raised by DPS, about the referendum putting "a pair of uncertified documents" to a vote, instead of what the law required, "a pair of certified translated documents approved by the initial issuer of the documents".July 2015 Court ruling Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, ruled on the legality of the referendum two days before it was due to be held against a claim that was submitted by private individuals and argued that the referendum could be violating the country's constitution by posing a question regarding "public finances".http://www.ekathimerini.com/198843/article/ekathimerini/news/greeces-top-court-to-rule-on-legality-of-referendum Greece's top court to rule on legality of referendum Ekathimerini.com 2 July 2015 3 July 2015 The court's decision was that the referendum was within the jurisdiction of the government and that the court had no authority on the issue, thus rejecting the claim.http://www.protothema.gr/politics/article/490058/apofasi-ste-dimopsifisma/ Κανονικά διεξάγεται το δημοψήφισμα – Το ΣτΕ απέρριψε τις αιτήσεις protothema.gr 5 July 2015 3 July 2015 Reception European Commission The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said on 29 June during a press conference on Greece that "the momentum [for finding an agreement] was destroyed unilaterally by the announcement of a referendum and by the decision to mount a 'no' campaign to reject this agreement".http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-5274_en.htm Transcript of President Jean-Claude Juncker's press conference on Greece European Commission 29 June 2015 The European Commission further objected to the timing of the referendum, stressing it should have been held to allow sufficient time before 30 June 2015 deadline when the "20 February 2015 offer ratified by other national parliaments"—in which Greece had been offered the prospect of completing and extending its existing bailout agreement by a new (yet to be mutually agreed) set of renegotiated terms—expired.July 2015 The commission also objected to the approach of not choosing a referendum question reflecting the entire dimensions of the comprehensive bailout offer, which was not only about implementation of a "reform programme", but also included a €35bn investment package which it said would spur job creation along with economic growth, and included a guarantee for debt relief according to a renewal of the "November 2012 debt relief statement".July 2015 This would ensure—conditional on the completion of the second bailout programme under its new renegotiated terms—automatic debt relief, to the extent that the Greek debt-to-GDP ratio would be reduced to levels below 124% in 2020 and 110% in 2022. The European Commission also found it strange and inappropriate, that the Greek government asked for voters' opinion on the "Institution's 25 June compromise proposal" rather than the latest "Institution's 26 June compromise proposal". It said the latest "26 June compromise proposal"http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5270_en.htm European Commission – Press release: Information from the European Commission on the latest draft proposals in the context of negotiations with Greece European Commission 28 June 2015 differed from the "25 June version" on several points (meeting objections tabled by the Greek government), of which one of the most significant was that the VAT rate for hotels had been reduced from 23% to 13%. The European Commission claimed that neither of the Institution's proposals, contrary to claims by the Greek government, had contained "excessive austerity", public wage cuts or pension cuts. Instead they had lowered their demand for a public budget primary surplus from the previously required 4.5%—now to be 1% in 2015 followed by a gradual increase to a level of 3.5% for 2018 and beyond—saving Greece from implementing €12bn of extra austerity measures.July 2015 Their request for a "wage reform", it said, was about conducting an ILO approved review and update of the current collective bargaining rights in the private sector (not removal of collective bargaining rights)—and implementation of a new approved wage scheme in which public workers were paid in future according to qualifications and performance (instead of clientele deals). Their "pension reform", it said, was calling for the cancellation of incentives for early retirement, along with moving to a system in which all people in Greece received pensions on the same terms (not treating some sectors more beneficially than others).July 2015 The claim by Juncker that there were no pension cuts in the proposal raised eyebrows, with Financial Times journalist Peter Spiegel tweeting that it was "simply not true".http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/06/29/ft-journalist-spiegel-caught-juncker-lying-about-greece/ FT Journalist Spiegel Caught Juncker Lying About Greece Greek Reporter 4 July 2015 29 June 2015 Other important elements of the proposals, the European Commission said, were: to implement a more efficient and independent Tax Collection Authority, opening up closed professions to competition (i.e. so that the Greek price for electricity—which is currently the most expensive in EU—would decline), and to implement a string of measures to ensure more social fairness (guaranteed minimum income scheme, making tax payments more proportionate to income, targeting extra saving cuts in public spending on areas with no adverse impact for average citizens—i.e. increased defense cuts, removing socially unjust favorable tax treatments of ship-owners, fighting corruption in which the focus should be "big fish" rather than "ordinary people", and safeguarding a lasting social fairness by supporting more transparency and efficiency in public administration—in particularly through establishment of a new politically independent tax administration). Further, the European Commission signaled that the referendum question, to which they would recommend a "Yes", from its viewpoint should be understood as whether or not Greece wanted to remain part of Europe and the Eurozone, which at the present state included acceptance of receiving conditional bailout help on a set of mutually negotiated and agreed terms. The Commission claimed the biggest impediment to jobs, growth and investment at the moment in Greece, was not the contents of the Institution's bailout proposals, but instead a paralyzing uncertainty caused by the Greek government's decision to cut itself off from continued bailout support and a moratorium on implementing structural reforms. According to the commission, this uncertainty and standstill could only be removed if Greece at the negotiating table agreed on one of the latest compromise proposals which the Institutions had tabled after accommodating a range of objections and requests tabled by the Greek government. They claimed the confidence effect of voting "Yes" to the settlement of such a deal, the predictability it would bring, together with the injection of liquidity into the economy from disbursements, would restore job creation and growth to the benefit of Greece. Council of Europe The Council of Europe stated that the Greek referendum does not meet European standards, as voters were not given a two-week period to make up their minds, as non-binding guidelines recommend. Due to the hasty schedule, the Council of Europe was not able to send election observers and the Greek government had not requested them either.https://www.reuters.com/article/eurozone-greece-rights-idUSL8N0ZH3IO20150701 Greek referendum falls short of standards – Council of Europe Reuters 1 July 2015 However the head of the Greek delegation and vice president of the council's parliamentary assembly, Dimitris Vitsas, denied that there was any decision made by the Council of Europe and said that it was only a personal opinion expressed by the council's general secretary, Thorbjørn Jagland,el Διαψεύδει ο Δημήτρης Βίτσας ότι το Συμβούλιο της Ευρώπης είναι αντίθετο με το δημοψήφισμα – stokokkino.gr https://web.archive.org/web/20150705205126/http://www.stokokkino.gr/details.php?id=1000000000011991 5 July 2015 with Tiny Kox, the head of the Left wing in the council's assembly supporting the same view and asking the general secretary to clarify his previous announcement.el Κοξ: Δεν υπάρχει ανακοίνωση του Συμβουλίου της Ευρώπης για το δημοψήφισμα avgi.gr https://web.archive.org/web/20150712230156/http://www.avgi.gr/article/5680498/kox-den-uparxei-anakoinosi-tou-sumbouliou-tis-europis-gia-to-dimopsifisma 12 July 2015 el – newpost.gr United Nations independent experts The United Nations Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order and on human rights and international law, Alfred de Zayas and Virginia Dandan respectively, welcomed the Greek referendum and called for international solidarity, while expressing disappointment that the IMF and the EU have failed to reach a non-austerity based solution yet, and supporting that no treaty or loan agreement can force a country to violate the civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights of its population, nor can a loan agreement negate the sovereignty of a State.UN human rights experts welcome Greek referendum and call for international solidarity http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16170&LangID=E ohchr.org 3 July 2015 Campaigns thumb|3 July 2015: Demonstration for voting NO in front of the Greek parliament, Syntagma Square, Athens. thumb|A "No" campaigner outside the Greek parliament building on 29 June 2015, holding a sign reading ΟΧΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΞΟΝΤΩΣΗ ("no to annihilation"). Positions on implications of the referendum Endorsements in the Greek bailout referendum, 2015 There has been substantial disagreement between campaigns on the implications of the referendum, and the public has interpreted it in a variety of ways.http://time.com/3945677/greece-referendum-vote/ Greek Voters Confused by Referendum Wording as Vote Nears Associated Press Time 5 July 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150706002849/http://time.com/3945677/greece-referendum-vote/ 6 July 2015 Tsipras has argued that a "No" vote would represent a rejection of the austerity terms demanded by the creditors, and strengthen the Greek negotiating position. Tsipras declared "On Sunday, we are not simply deciding to remain in Europe – we are deciding to live with dignity in Europe".https://uk.news.yahoo.com/greece-pm-urges-no-vote-live-dignity-europe-182709597.html Greece PM urges 'No' vote to 'live with dignity in Europe' 3 July 2015 Yahoo News UK 5 July 2015 17 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171017201007/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/greece-pm-urges-no-vote-live-dignity-europe-182709597.html dead Tsipras has repeatedly rejected Greek and international warnings that a "No" vote would be perceived by Greek's main creditors as a "No" to reforms in Greece, and a "No" to remaining in the Eurozone.el Αλ. Τσίπρας: Η διαπραγμάτευση συνεχίζεται, θα συνεχιστεί και τη Δευτέρα https://web.archive.org/web/20150709162504/http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/973690/al-tsipras-to-oxi-den-simainei-riksi-me-tin-europi 9 July 2015 , naftemporiki.gr, 2 July 2015, retrieved 8 July 2015.el http://news.in.gr/greece/article/?aid=1500009300 Τσίπρας: Το «όχι» δεν σημαίνει έξοδο από το ευρώ, in.gr, 1 July 2015, retrieved 8 July 2015. Advocates of a "Yes" vote, among them a grassroot movement entitled Menoume Europi (Stay in Europe) have cast the referendum as a decision on Greece remaining in the eurozone, and perhaps even the European Union.el Σαμαράς: Το δημοψήφισμα είναι για έξοδο της Ελλάδας από το ευρώ, newsit.gr, 27 June 2015, retrieved 8 July 2015. Many international leaders as well as mainstream economists and media warned that if the "No" vote leads to a failure to secure continued bailout support for Greece in due time, this would likely lead to a broader Greek sovereign default, a haircut on Greek bank deposits, a collapse of the banking sector, followed by an aggravated depression of the Greek economy, and a Greek exit from the euro area. Elliot Larry Wearden Graeme Smith Helena Europe's big guns warn Greek voters that a no vote means euro exit The Guardian London 30 June 2015 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jun/29/greek-crisis-referendum-eurozone-vote-germany-france-italy Deen Mark Fouquet Helene Hollande Says Greece's Referendum Will Determine Euro Membership Bloomberg News New York 29 June 2015 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-29/hollande-says-greece-s-referendum-will-determine-euro-membership A new local currency to replace the euro would be strongly devalued, which would decrease the purchasing power for Greeks and lead to inflation.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-03/greek-debt-crisis-economist-explains-fallout/6592554 Greek debt crisis: Economist explains fallout if Greece goes back to drachma 3 July 2015 3 July 2015 abc Newshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/03/greece-economy-collapse-close-food-medicine-shortage Greek economy close to collapse as food and medicine run short 3 July 2015 3 July 2015 The Guardianhttp://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9963b74c-219c-11e5-aa5a-398b2169cf79.html#axzz3euesvmM5 Greek banks prepare plan to raid deposits to avert collapse 3 July 2015 3 July 2015 Financial Times Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem said that "in case of a 'No', Greece's (financial) situation will become exceptionally difficult... The economic problems will be even bigger and an aid programme more difficult to implement".Greek situation deteriorating: Dijsselbloem https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/greek-situation-deteriorating-dijsselbloem-014808557.html 3 July 2015 YahooFinance European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said Greece's negotiating position would be "dramatically weakened" if a 'No' won. Other European leaders have also criticized the Greek government's representation of the referendum options, with EU leaders saying that they would see a "No" vote as a rejection of Europe.Angry EU leaders lash out at Greece, eyeing endgame http://www.ekathimerini.com/198873/article/ekathimerini/news/angry-eu-leaders-lash-out-at-greece-eyeing-endgame 3 July 2015 EkathimeriniIf the Greeks say "no" would weaken the Greek negotiating position (in Greek) http://www.naftemporiki.gr/finance/story/973914/giounker-an-oi-ellines-poun-oxi-tha-apodunamothei-i-elliniki-diapragmateutiki-thesi 3 July 2015 Naftemporiki 4 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150704235836/http://www.naftemporiki.gr/finance/story/973914/giounker-an-oi-ellines-poun-oxi-tha-apodunamothei-i-elliniki-diapragmateutiki-thesi dead Public opinion strongly favours keeping the euro.Clear lead for SYRIZA in Public Issue poll; support for euro at 71% Phantis 15 June 2015 http://www.phantis.com/news/clear-lead-syriza-public-issue-poll-support-euro-71 4 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150706023837/http://www.phantis.com/news/clear-lead-syriza-public-issue-poll-support-euro-71 6 July 2015 dead Of all the political parties which won seats in the parliamentary election in May, only the Communist KKE expressed support for leaving the euro, and indeed for leaving the European Union.BBC News report 15 June 2012 – "Greek election is euro versus drachma, Samaras says"out-of-date, XE opinion? July 2015 A majority of European leaders,https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/jul/02/greek-debt-crisis-athens-creditors-referendum-yes-no-live Greek crisis: IMF says no third bailout without debt relief—as it happened Graeme Wearden The Guardian 5 July 2015 3 July 2015 and the US President Obama have expressed the opinion that Greece should remain in the monetary union. Greek debt crisis: Obama and Merkel monitoring situation closely The Guardian London 28 June 2015 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/28/obama-merkel-talk-greek-debt-crisis An opposite view comes from the UK Prime Minister David Cameron who mentioned, according to a leaked note, that it "might be better" for Greece to leave the euro in order to sort its economy out, even though Cameron conceded that there were major risks in that, too. Nardelli Alberto Watt Nicholas Cameron told EU leader Greek exit from euro may be best option The Guardian London 26 June 2015 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/26/cameron-told-eu-leader-greek-exit-from-euro-may-be-best-option Greek organisations Reception by professional/societal associations in Greece: Technical Chamber of Greece (TCG): Had called a steering committee meeting for approval of a "Yes" recommendation statement, but had to abort their meeting when evidently a group of radical Syriza supporters (not members of the organisation) had hijacked their meeting. The TCG president said: "It is assumed that the referendum is paramount democratic choice of the people. But how is democracy strengthened when people, who obviously support the opinion of SYRIZA, come and threaten our Steering Committee not to make a decision to communicate the opinion of our association in important matters?"http://www.kathimerini.gr/821608/article/epikairothta/ellada/epixeirhsh-apotrophs-toy-nai-me-efodoys "Επιχείρηση" αποτροπής του "ναι" με εφόδους ('Enterprise' deterrence 'yes' due to raids) el Kathimerini 30 June 2015 Athens Bar Association (DPS): DPS recommend a "Yes" vote to stay in Europe. The DPS statement said: "If the referendum ultimately, as has been said and implied, is really about "Yes" or "No" to the European Union, then the answer can not be other than "Yes". Yes to our creative participation in the EU." Panhellenic Federation of Teaching and Research Staff (POSDEP): Recommended a "Yes" vote. The Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE): Recommended a "Yes" vote. Greece Regions Union: Recommended a "Yes" vote. Positions on the vote itself (Yes/No) Banner in Patmos|thumb In his initial address, when prime minister Tsipras of the ruling Syriza party announced the plebiscite on 5 July, he recommended a "No" vote to the Greek people.Le Monde, AFP, Reuters, 28 June 2015. Most other Syriza members also supported a "No" vote.July 2015 ANEL, the other ruling party in coalition with Syriza, announced that they were campaigning for a "No" vote. Referendum divides coalition partner Ekathimerini 2 July 2015 http://www.ekathimerini.com/198863/article/ekathimerini/news/referendum-divides-coalition-partner The far-right Golden Dawn party, not being in the government, also called for a "No" vote.LIVE! OI ΡΑΓΔΑΙΕΣ ΕΞΕΛΙΞΕΙΣ Πηγή: www.lifo.gr http://www.lifo.gr/now/greece/69452 27 June 2015 Lifo el Political parties Parties position on the 2015 Greek bailout referendumChoice PartyLeaderPolitical orientation15 Yes ND New Democracy Antonis Samaras Centre-right PASOK Panhellenic Socialist Movement Fofi Gennimata Centre-left To Potami To Potami Stavros Theodorakis Centrism15 No SYRIZA Coalition of the Radical Left Alexis Tsipras Left-wing ANEL Independent Greeks Panos Kammenos Right-wing XA Golden Dawn Nikolaos Michaloliakos Far-right15 Write-in KKE Communist Party of Greece Dimitris Koutsoumpas Far-Left KKE declared it was against both of the latest two versions of the cash-for-reform counter proposals being submitted to the negotiation table between Greece and its public creditors (the counter proposal of the Greek government, and the latest compromise counter proposal of the institutions), and said that it would try to change the question of the referendum, so that people can vote not only against the latest compromise counter-proposal of the Institutions but also against the latest counter-proposal of the Greek government.Θ. Χιώνης: "Όχι" στην πρόταση-"Σκύλλα" των δανειστών και στην πρόταση-"Χάρυβδη" της κυβέρνησης (VIDEO) http://www.902.gr/eidisi/politiki/70401/th-hionis-ohi-stin-protasi-skylla-ton-daneiston-kai-stin-protasi-haryvdi-tis 902.gr 27 June 2015 27 June 2015 el Newspapers ChoiceNewspapersPolitical and cultural orientation15 Yes Kathimerinihttps://www.newsbeast.gr/media/arthro/1864802/ta-dramatika-protoselida-tou-dimopsifismatos 28 August 2022 Τα δραματικά πρωτοσέλιδα του δημοψηφίσματος 4 July 2015 Conservatism Ethnos Centrism Vradyni Conservatism Ta Nea/To Vima Social liberalism Eleftheros Typos Conservatism MakedoniaJuly 3, 2015 Πρωτοσέλιδα εφημερίδων και περιοδικών https://www.frontpages.gr/d/20150703 28 August 2022 Centrism Proto Thema Conservatism15 No Efimerida ton Syntakton Democratic socialism Prin Anti-capitalismOfficial newspaper of ANTARSYA Kontra news Left-wing populism I Avgi Democratic socialismPartially owned by Syriza Neutral/Undeclared Real News Centrism Dimokratia Right-wing populismRizospastis CommunismOfficial newspaper of the KKE Keynesian economists like James K. Galbraith https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/07/9-myths-about-the-greek-crisis-000131/ 9 myths about the Greek crisis – by James K. Galbraith, Politico Politico 2 July 2015 and Thomas Piketty, Piketty : "Entre 2009 et 2014, la Grèce est le pays qui a le plus réduit son déficit" Piketty : "Between 2009 and 2014, Greece is the country which reduced its deficit the most" Marianne Paris 30 June 2015 http://www.marianne.net/piketty-entre-2009-2014-grece-est-pays-qui-plus-reduit-son-deficit-100235110.html fr 2 July 2015 3 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150703011241/http://www.marianne.net/piketty-entre-2009-2014-grece-est-pays-qui-plus-reduit-son-deficit-100235110.html dead along with Nobel prize in Economics recipients Paul Krugman Krugman Paul Greece Over the Brink The New York Times New York 29 June 2015 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/29/opinion/paul-krugman-greece-over-the-brink.html?_r=1 and Joseph Stiglitz, Stiglitz Joseph Joseph Stiglitz: how I would vote in the Greek referendum The Guardian London 29 June 2015 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jun/29/joseph-stiglitz-how-i-would-vote-in-the-greek-referendum individually expressed their support for the "No" vote on the referendum, arguing that the current austerity programme is a bad option from an economic point of view. Opinion polls According to opinion polls, since the imposition of capital controls in Greece as a result of the ECB's decision not to enlarge its Emergency Liquidity Assistance programme in Greece, there was a trend from a clear No-vote majority to a head-to-head race, or even a slight advantage for the Yes-vote, to accept the proposed bailout terms (as of 3 July 2015).Financial Times http://www.ft.com/intl/fastft/354731/yes-edges-ahead-latest-greek-opinion-poll Yes edges ahead in latest Greek opinion poll 3 July 2015Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/world/poll-shows-tight-race-ahead-of-greece-referendum/ Poll shows tight race ahead of Greece referendum 3 July 2015 Poll results listed in the table below are in reverse chronological order and use the date the survey's fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. If that date is unknown, the date of publication is given. The highest percentage figure in each polling survey is displayed in bold, and the background shaded in the leading option's colour. In the instance of a tie no figure is shaded. After the referendum announcement + Between the options of YES and NO on the institutions proposal, which one would you choose? Date Polling Firm/Source Total Considering only Yes/No vote Yes No Don't know/None Lead Yes No Lead 5 Jul 2015 Referendum 38.7 61.3 22.6 38.7 61.3 22.6 5 Jul MRB 48.5 51.5 3.0 5 Jul Marc 48.0 52.0 4.0 5 Jul Metron Analysis 46.0 49.0 5.0 3.0 48.0 52.0 4.0 4–5 Jul GPO 46.0 48.5 5.5 2.5 48.5 51.5 3.0 4 Jul Metron Analysis 46.0 50.0 4.0 4.0 48.0 52.0 4.0 3 Jul Metron Analysis 44.0 48.0 8.0 4.0 48.0 52.0 4.0 2–3 Jul Alco 41.9 42.7 15.4 0.8 49.5 50.5 1.0 2–3 Jul Metron Analysis 46.0 47.0 7.0 1.0 49.5 50.5 1.0 1–3 Jul GPO 44.1 43.7 12.2 0.4 50.2 49.8 0.4 30 Jun–3 Jul Ipsos 44.0 43.0 13.0 1.0 50.5 49.5 1.0 2 Jul Metron Analysis49.0 46.0 5.0 3.0 51.5 48.5 3.0 2 Jul PAMAK 42.5 43.0 14.5 0.5 49.5 50.5 1.0 1–2 Jul Alco 41.7 41.1 17.2 0.6 50.4 49.6 0.8 1–2 Jul Metron Analysis 47.0 46.0 7.0 1.0 50.5 49.5 1.0 30 Jun–2 Jul Public Issue 42.5 43.0 14.5 0.5 49.5 50.5 1.0 1 Jul Metron Analysis 45.0 46.0 9.0 1.0 49.5 50.5 1.0 1 Jul PAMAK 44.0 45.0 11.0 1.0 49.5 50.5 1.0 30 Jun–1 Jul Metron Analysis 44.0 47.0 9.0 3.0 48.5 51.5 3.0 30 Jun–1 Jul Alco 41.5 40.2 18.3 1.3 50.8 49.2 1.6 30 Jun Metron Analysis 43.0 48.0 9.0 5.0 47.5 52.5 5.0 30 Jun PAMAK 40.5 44.0 15.5 3.5 48.0 52.0 4.0 29–30 Jun Alco 38.4 46.2 15.4 7.8 45.4 54.6 9.2 29–30 Jun Metron Analysis 42.050.0 8.0 8.0 45.5 54.5 9.0 29–30 Jun ToThePoint https://archive.today/20150701153516/http://focusfm.gr/index.php/en/eidisis/ellada/item/32982-panelladiki-dimoskopisi-focus-fm-103-6-thessalonikis-8-stous-10-apaitoyn-na-meinoume-stin-evrozoni-moirasmena-ta-nai-kai-oxi-gia-to-dimopsifisma 1 July 2015 37.0 40.2 22.8 3.2 47.9 52.1 4.2 28–30 Jun ProRata 33.0 54.0 13.0 21.0 38.0 62.0 24.0 After bank shutdown 37.0 46.0 17.0 9.0 44.5 55.5 11.0 Before bank shutdown 30.0 57.0 13.0 27.0 34.5 65.5 31.0 29 Jun Metron Analysis 41.0 51.0 8.0 10.0 44.5 55.5 11.0 29 Jun PAMAK 37.5 47.0 15.5 9.5 44.5 55.5 11.0 28–29 Jun Metron Analysis 37.0 53.0 10.0 16.0 41.0 59.0 18.0 28 Jun Metron Analysis 33.0 55.0 12.0 20.0 37.5 62.5 25.0 28 Jun PAMAK 31.0 54.0 15.0 23.0 36.5 63.5 27.0 27 Jun PAMAK 26.5 52.0 21.5 25.5 34.0 66.0 32.0 Note: This section only covers confirmed polls conducted since the announcement of the referendum. Polls not confirmed by their respective pollsters are not shown in the table. Before the referendum announcement Two opinion polls were conducted shortly before the announcement of the referendum on 27 June, and prior to the referendum question being made public. The first asked how people would vote if a debt-deal were put to a referendum,http://www.tovima.gr/politics/article/?aid=717394 Δημοσκόπηση: Προβάδισμα "ναι" σε δημοψήφισμα, πριν τη "βόμβα Τσίπρα" 28 June 2015 29 June 2015 αν η νέα επώδυνη συμφωνία παραπεμφθεί σε δημοψήφισμα, εσείς τι θα ψηφίσετε and the second whether people supported reaching an agreement with the creditor institutions or not.Xinhua http://www.globalpost.com/article/6597052/2015/06/28/most-greeks-want-stay-eurozone-debt-deal-lenders-survey Most Greeks want stay in eurozone, debt deal with lenders: survey 28 June 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150630181054/http://www.globalpost.com/article/6597052/2015/06/28/most-greeks-want-stay-eurozone-debt-deal-lenders-survey 30 June 2015http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_28/06/2015_551603 e Kathimerini Greek MPs approve referendum as lenders see difficulties ahead 28 June 2015 Both found support for a deal in principle. Results thumb|375x375px|Celebrations after the results were settled, Syntagma Square, Athens The "no" vote won in all the regions of Greece, as well as in all the Greek constituencies. The highest share of "no" votes was in Crete, particularly in the constituencies of Heraklion and Chania. The highest share of "YES" (ΝΑΙ in Greek) votes was in the Peloponnese region – most notably in the Laconia constituency – although the number of "yes" votes were outnumbered by "no" votes. 2245537 3558450 357153 9858508 Ministry of Interior By region ConstituencyRegionAgainst (%)For (%)AchaeaWestern Greece68.2231.78Aetolia-AkarnaniaWestern Greece60.9039.10ArgolidaPeloponnese57.6542.35ArkadiaPeloponnese56.4343.57ArtaEpirus59.9740.03Athens AAttica53.2146.79Athens BAttica58.0641.94AtticaAttica63.6936.31BoeotiaCentral Greece67.4332.57CephaloniaIonian Islands64.5735.43ChalkidikiCentral Macedonia59.1540.85ChaniaCrete73.7726.23ChiosNorth Aegean53.8446.16CorfuIonian Islands71.2528.75CorinthiaPeloponnese61.8438.16CycladesSouth Aegean62.7337.27DodecaneseSouth Aegean64.8435.16DramaEastern Macedonia and Thrace57.0842.92ElisWestern Greece65.0035.00EuboeaCentral Greece67.6032.40EvrosEastern Macedonia and Thrace54.6445.36EvrytaniaCentral Greece55.8944.11FlorinaWestern Macedonia62.8937.11GrevenaWestern Macedonia54.3145.69ImathiaCentral Macedonia64.5835.42IoanninaEpirus59.2640.74Irakleiou (Heraklion)Crete70.8229.18KarditsaThessaly60.9239.08KastoriaWestern Macedonia52.3647.64KavalaEastern Macedonia and Thrace58.6741.33KilkisCentral Macedonia57.7442.26KozaniWestern Macedonia63.1636.84LaconiaPeloponnese51.1748.83LarissaThessaly61.8438.16LasithiCrete62.7437.26LefkadaIonian Islands 58.3441.66LesbosNorth Aegean61.3838.62MagnesiaThessaly66.3733.63MesseniaPeloponnese56.8443.16PellaCentral Macedonia60.7939.21PhocisCentral Greece57.3642.64PhthiotisCentral Greece60.1139.89PieriaCentral Macedonia60.9239.08Piraeus AAttica59.5140.49Piraeus BAttica72.5127.49PrevezaEpirus58.1341.87RethymnoCrete65.3334.67RhodopeEastern Macedonia and Thrace63.4636.54SamosNorth Aegean70.3129.69SerresCentral Macedonia53.7446.26ThesprotiaEpirus59.0440.96Thessaloniki ACentral Macedonia60.9239.08Thessaloniki BCentral Macedonia59.9240.08TrikalaThessaly58.6741.33XanthiEastern Macedonia and Thrace67.8932.11ZakynthosIonian Islands67.3132.69 Aftermath Three days after the referendum the government "formally asked for a three-year bailout from the Eurozone's rescue fund [on 8 July 2015] and pledged to start implementing some economic-policy overhauls" by mid-July 2015. European finance leaders scheduled a "crisis summit" on 12 July to consider the request. The Greek request was a "drastic turnaround" for Prime Minister Tsipras regarding "pension cuts, tax increases and other austerity measures."Greece Requests Three-Year Bailout in First Step Toward Meeting Creditors' Demand https://www.wsj.com/articles/greek-prime-minister-pledges-concrete-proposals-to-bridge-creditor-impasse-1436348229 10 July 2015 Wall Street Journal 2015-07-08 Gabriele Steinhauser Tom Fairless The total amount of loans requested in the Greek proposal was 53.5 billion euros (59 billion). The Greek parliament approved the Prime Minister's request on 10 July, and the completed package was forwarded to the Eurogroup in advance of the scheduled meeting.The Latest: Greece seeks 53.5B euros in new bailout package, accessed 10 July 2015. On Monday, 13 July, the Greek government signed a bailout package including 'worse' terms than the ones rejected via the referendum.German-Led Eurozone Launching Coup Against Greek Government. The Huffington Post. 12 July 2015. See also Flip-flop References External links Official referendum website "No" Campaign site "Yes" Campaign site The two documents, from the institutions, referred to in the referendum question: Reforms for the Completion of the Current Program and Beyond (PDF) at referendum2015gov.gr Preliminary Debt Sustainability Analysis for Greece (PDF) at referendum2015gov.gr Δημοψήφισμα για τη συμφωνία στις 5 Ιουλίου el More recent proposal by Greek government to creditors – leaked (26 June 2015) – Greece: Prior Actions European Commission – The latest draft proposals in the context of negotiations with Greece (26 June 2015)- List of prior actions – version of 26 June 20 00.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20150628235523/http://europa.eu/rapid/attachment/IP-15-5270/en/List%20of%20prior%20actions%20-%20version%20of%2026%20June%2020%2000.pdf 28 June 2015 Leaked referendum ballot paper, from http://www.newsbomb.gr/politikh/news/story/601471/dimopsifisma-2015-ayto-einai-to-psifodeltio-toy-dimopsifismatos-pics Category:2015 in Greek politics Greece Category:Referendums in Greece Bailout referendum 2015 Category:Referendums related to the European Union Greece Bailout