Greece today goes to a referendum. Citizens should answer yes or no to the latest package of measures put forward by European lenders, which include cuts in pensions and wages and increase of VAT. Polling stations were opened at 7 am this morning and will be open until 7 pm. In the country are registered 10 million voters who can vote in 19,159 polling stations.
Today’s referendum, which takes place four decades after the last referendum, is expected to send a clear signal to the government, but also to the European Union about what the people wants, what it can endure and in which direction it wants the country to move, whether message for greater independence and stopping the pressures of creditors or a message that they do not want to make waves, and risk their stay in the Eurozone and the EU. Lobbying for “yes” or “no” on the referendum is over, people are divided, and no one can reliably estimate what the final outcome will be until the polling stations are closed and all ballots are counted. Polls day before the vote showed minimal advantage of the decision to vote “yes” and reduction in the supporters of the government, but not enough to be able to give a clear forecast. The results are expected to be ready within two to four hours, and much of the media report that already in 9 pm local time, there will be an opportunity to get a clear picture of what Greek citizens voted on.
The voices and views of all parties show great pessimism about what will happen to Greece next week. Some agree that the referendum is useful but five months late, some will vote in fear of what awaits them tomorrow, other led by fatigue from a five-year austerity and unemployment. And those who will vote for the measures and those who will vote against agree that, regardless of the outcome, Greece faces new difficult days.
– I voted “no”. I want us to have at least a little dignity tomorrow, I do not believe that voting “no” means no to Europe and did not want to support this thesis that is imposed to us. I’m a big supporter of SYRIZA, but I cannot vote to continue these measures that led us to five years of misery. Whatever is voted, I understand that things are out of control and I do not think that banks will open in some way. The decision may only affect whether the government stays or not – says 30-year-old Panagiotis.
Anxiety, fear and concern are mixed with a strong anger, primarily because they don’t see a solution even after five years of recession.
