Greeks delivered a shocking rebuff to Europe’s leaders on Sunday, decisively rejecting a deal offered by the country’s creditors in a historic vote that could redefine Greece’s place in Europe and shake the Continent’s financial stability.
As people gathered to celebrate in Syntagma Square in central Athens, the Interior Ministry reported that with more than 90 percent of the vote tallied, 61 percent of the voters had said no to a deal that would have imposed greater austerity measures.
As people gathered to celebrate in Syntagma Square in central Athens, the Interior Ministry reported that with more than 90 percent of the vote tallied, 61 percent of the voters had said no to a deal that would have imposed greater austerity measures.
The no votes carried virtually every district in the country, handing a sweeping victory to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, a leftist who came to power in January vowing to reject new austerity measures, which he called an injustice and economically self-defeating. Last month he walked away from negotiations in frustration at the creditors’ demands, called the referendum and urged Greeks to vote no as a way to give him more bargaining power.
On the streets of Athens, Greeks are proud of their toughness and defiance after Sunday's landslide "no" vote against creditors' demands — but they acknowledge there's still plenty to worry about.
George Papadokostakis, a 34-year-old coffee shop owner, says he's very happy with the referendum result. He says "something happened last night with the Greek people. ... we were in a dead-end situation (but) with the 'no' vote we believe there may be something better."
Shoe store worker Nicky Zachary thinks Greeks are tough and united in rejecting austerity.
She says "we can live with very little and we can live through difficult situations. And I think after the referendum, the Greek people are united."
"I don't know what will happen next. I would like to have an answer. But at least we are fighting," she added.
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5:05 p.m.
Greece's defense minister says three opposition parties have signed a declaration backing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in bailout negotiations with creditors.
That makes a total of five parties behind the prime minister, who already had the support of his own Syriza party and the junior party in the governing coalition, the Independent Greeks.
Defense Minister Panos Kammenos said the support heralded a "new era" in Greek politics and would boost Athens' chances of reaching a deal with European and international creditors.
Tsipras convened a meeting of party leaders on Monday, a day after winning a bailout referendum that rejected creditors' previous demands and hours after his finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, resigned.
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4:15 p.m.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has spoken on the telephone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a day after Greece overwhelmingly voted against recent creditor proposals and on the eve of an emergency eurozone leaders' summit.
A government official in Athens said Tsipras told Merkel that he would present Greece's proposals to restart talks with creditors at the Brussels meetings.
The official asked not to be named pending an official announcement.
Talks between Athens and bailout lenders were halted during the referendum campaign.
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4:05 p.m.
Eurozone member Slovenia expects Greece to table a new "sincere" bailout plan to European creditors that would be acceptable to both sides.
Slovenia's Prime Minister Miro Cerar said Greece should make fresh proposals at the summit of the eurozone's 19 leaders on Tuesday. The proposals, he added, should be bolstered by "a convincing plan of structural reforms."
Cerar, who will attend the meeting, says "any attempt by the Greek government that does not have a sincere and constructive intention to reach an agreement ... is unacceptable for the government of Slovenia."
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3:55 p.m.
Germany's vice chancellor says Europe needs to be ready to provide humanitarian aid to Greece
Sigmar Gabriel, who is also Germany's economy minister, said there is a danger that Greece will suffer a shortage of essential goods such as medicine.
"The people there need help, and we shouldn't deny it to them just because we're not satisfied with the outcome of the referendum," Gabriel told reporters in Berlin.
He echoed earlier statements from across Europe that it's up to the Greek government to make a new bailout proposal.
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