Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Greece ‘No’ voters in lead ahead of bailout referendum

-

Almost half of Greeks intend to vote 'No' in a weekend referendum on the terms of its bailout, but capital controls are boosting the 'Yes' camp, a poll showed Wednesday.

The Prorata survey was carried out between Sunday and Tuesday, following the government's decision to impose strict capital controls and close the banks after a breakdown in talks with its international creditors.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called on Greeks to vote 'No' in the plebiscite, which will ask voters whether they want to accept the latest deal from Athens' creditors -- a deal he has branded "humiliating".

Preparations are already underway for Sunday's referendum, which could seal the country's financial fate.

Before the capital controls came into effect, 57 percent said they would vote 'No' to the bailout, with 30 percent planning to vote 'Yes' and five percent undecided.

But after the measures -- including a daily cap of 60 euros ($66) on withdrawals at ATMs -- were imposed on Monday, the 'Yes' camp grew amid fears that Tsipras's stand will inflict more pain on recession-hit Greece, already struggling with sky high unemployment and mammoth debts.

Pro-Euro protesters hold a large European flag reading
Pro-Euro protesters hold a large European flag reading "Yes" in front of the parliament building in Athens, on June 30, 2015
Louisa Gouliamaki, AFP

Forty-six percent of those polled Tuesday said they would vote 'No', compared to 37 percent in the 'Yes' camp and 17 percent still undecided, according to the survey carried out for the Ephimerida ton syndakton daily.

Around 20,000 people demonstrated in Syntagma square in Athens on Tuesday in favour of a 'Yes' vote, which is being seen by many as a vote to stay in the eurozone and the European Union.

Some 13,000 people had rallied for a 'No' demo against the bailout and austerity on Monday evening.

Tspiras has staked his job on the referendum. A 'Yes' victory could see the government forced to resign, while a triumph for the 'No' camp could see the country exit the eurozone, with untold consequences for the EU.

Almost half of Greeks intend to vote ‘No’ in a weekend referendum on the terms of its bailout, but capital controls are boosting the ‘Yes’ camp, a poll showed Wednesday.

The Prorata survey was carried out between Sunday and Tuesday, following the government’s decision to impose strict capital controls and close the banks after a breakdown in talks with its international creditors.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called on Greeks to vote ‘No’ in the plebiscite, which will ask voters whether they want to accept the latest deal from Athens’ creditors — a deal he has branded “humiliating”.

Preparations are already underway for Sunday’s referendum, which could seal the country’s financial fate.

Before the capital controls came into effect, 57 percent said they would vote ‘No’ to the bailout, with 30 percent planning to vote ‘Yes’ and five percent undecided.

But after the measures — including a daily cap of 60 euros ($66) on withdrawals at ATMs — were imposed on Monday, the ‘Yes’ camp grew amid fears that Tsipras’s stand will inflict more pain on recession-hit Greece, already struggling with sky high unemployment and mammoth debts.

Pro-Euro protesters hold a large European flag reading

Pro-Euro protesters hold a large European flag reading “Yes” in front of the parliament building in Athens, on June 30, 2015
Louisa Gouliamaki, AFP

Forty-six percent of those polled Tuesday said they would vote ‘No’, compared to 37 percent in the ‘Yes’ camp and 17 percent still undecided, according to the survey carried out for the Ephimerida ton syndakton daily.

Around 20,000 people demonstrated in Syntagma square in Athens on Tuesday in favour of a ‘Yes’ vote, which is being seen by many as a vote to stay in the eurozone and the European Union.

Some 13,000 people had rallied for a ‘No’ demo against the bailout and austerity on Monday evening.

Tspiras has staked his job on the referendum. A ‘Yes’ victory could see the government forced to resign, while a triumph for the ‘No’ camp could see the country exit the eurozone, with untold consequences for the EU.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Entertainment

Emmy-nominated actor Justin Hartley is chasing ghosts in the new episode titled "Aurora" on '"Tracker" on CBS.

Social Media

Do you really need laws to tell you to shut this mess down?

Business

The electric car maker, which enjoyed scorching growth for most of 2022 and 2023, has experienced setbacks.

World

The UK risks a major showdown with the Council of Europe - Copyright AFP Sam YehEurope’s highest rights body on Tuesday called on Britain...