Finance minister accuses creditors of trying to ‘terrorise’ Greeks
Greeks are voting on Sunday on whether to accept or reject tough conditions sought by international creditors to extend a lending lifeline.
Greece’s finance minister accused creditors of trying to “terrorise” Greeks into accepting austerity, warning Europe stood to lose as much as Athens if the country was forced from the euro after a referendum today on bailout terms.
After a week in which Greece defaulted, shuttered its banks and began rationing cash, Greeks are voting on Sunday on whether to accept or reject tough conditions sought by international creditors to extend a lending lifeline that has kept the debt-stricken country afloat.
The left-wing government is urging a “no” vote, saying Greece’s European partners are bluffing when they warn that would mean a Greek departure from Europe’s single currency. , with unforeseeable consequences for Greece, Europe and the global economy.
Opinion polls on Friday gave the “yes” camp, which favours accepting the bailout terms, a slender lead but all were within the margin of error and pollsters said the vote was too close to call.
Only one had the “No” vote winning, despite turnout of at least 50,000 opponents of the deal at a rally in central Athens on Friday that appeared significantly bigger than a simultaneous rally by the “Yes” camp.
“What they’re asking us to accept is eternal slavery,” said Ermioni Tenekidou, 54, a teacher.
Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble of Germany, Greece’s biggest creditor and toughest critic, said any so-called Grexit, Greek exit from the euro zone, might only be temporary.