In a surprise move, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
announced
early on Saturday that his government intends to hold a
referendum on whether Greece should accept the proposals
put forward by lenders.
Tsipras made it clear that he is against accepting the terms
offered by creditors but said that he would accept the
outcome
of any vote.
The prime minister said he would go to Parliament on
Saturday to get approval from MPs to hold the referendum
on
Sunday, July 5.
“After five months of tough negotiations, our partners
unfortunately resorted to a proposal-ultimatum to the
Greek people,” Tsipras said. “I call on the Greek people
to rule on the blackmailing ultimatum asking us to
accept
a strict and humiliating austerity without end and without
prospect.”
The surprise development throws into turmoil planned
talks Saturday among euro-area finance ministers on
their latest proposal, which would unlock 15.5 billion
euros
and extend Greece’s program through November, in return
for a commitment to pension cuts and higher taxes that
Tsipras opposes.
Greeece’s Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Dragasakis and
Deputy Foreign Minister Euclid Tsakalotos will meet
Saturday with European Central Bank President Mario
Draghi, a government statement said. Tsipras spoke
with Draghi on the phone before announcing his decision
to hold a referendum to explain the government’s
view,
Tsakalotos said in a phone interview.
[Kathimerini & Bloomberg]
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