Tag Archives: Greece referendum

turnout

How the Oxi was won.

Mapper Omar Sarhan writes:

One of the lines taken in the build up to the referendum was that the Greek people wanted to exercise their democratic rights and a massive decision such as a bailout requires the consent of the people.
In 1975 Greece was one of a minority of countries to introduce compulsory voting, It has always being considered an important affair, up until 2001 there were still provisions in the constitution for penalties and sanctions on absent voters. The spirit of compulsory voting still exists in the constitution even if enforcement is non-existent.
I did expect to see a greater increase in voter engagement, the vast majority of the municipalities had a lower turnout for this referendum than the parliamentary elections that took place earlier this year. It is startling to think that there was increased voter apathy at this crucial moment….

Turnout In The Greek Referendum (Omar Sarhan)

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Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis

The referendum of 5th July will stay in history as a unique moment when a small European nation rose up against debt-bondage.

Like all struggles for democratic rights, so too this historic rejection of the Eurogroup’s 25th June ultimatum comes with a large price tag attached. It is, therefore, essential that the great capital bestowed upon our government by the splendid NO vote be invested immediately into a YES to a proper resolution – to an agreement that involves debt restructuring, less austerity, redistribution in favour of the needy, and real reforms.

Soon after the announcement of the referendum results, I was made aware of a certain preference by some Eurogroup participants, and assorted ‘partners’, for my… ‘absence’ from its meetings; an idea that the Prime Minister judged to be potentially helpful to him in reaching an agreement. For this reason I am leaving the Ministry of Finance today.

I consider it my duty to help Alexis Tsipras exploit, as he sees fit, the capital that the Greek people granted us through yesterday’s referendum.

And I shall wear the creditors’ loathing with pride.

We of the Left know how to act collectively with no care for the privileges of office. I shall support fully Prime Minister Tsipras, the new Minister of Finance, and our government.

The superhuman effort to honour the brave people of Greece, and the famous OXI (NO) that they granted to democrats the world over, is just beginning.

Minister No More! Yanis Varoufakis

Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis resigns despite referendum no vote (The Guardian)

Previously: ‘We Are A Proud People…Like The Irish’