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Greek Referendum on Debt Crisis Is Constitutional, Court Finds Greek Court Allows Vote on Bailout Package
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — The top administrative court of Greece declared on Friday that a referendum on a European bailout package is constitutional, allowing a potentially historic vote that could change the shape of Europe.LONDON — The top administrative court of Greece declared on Friday that a referendum on a European bailout package is constitutional, allowing a potentially historic vote that could change the shape of Europe.
The ruling from the Council of State, which was expected, means the balloting can be held on Sunday as scheduled.The ruling from the Council of State, which was expected, means the balloting can be held on Sunday as scheduled.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras renewed his call for Greeks to reject the terms of the bailout offer from the country’s European creditors, warning voters against caving in to “blackmail.”Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras renewed his call for Greeks to reject the terms of the bailout offer from the country’s European creditors, warning voters against caving in to “blackmail.”
“I ask you to say no to ultimatums, blackmail and fear-mongering,” he said in a televised address. “No to divisions, no to those who want to spread panic.”“I ask you to say no to ultimatums, blackmail and fear-mongering,” he said in a televised address. “No to divisions, no to those who want to spread panic.”
Calling for national unity, he reiterated his insistence that the referendum set for Sunday would be a vote on a bad deal for Greece rather than a referendum on its continued membership in the single-currency eurozone.Calling for national unity, he reiterated his insistence that the referendum set for Sunday would be a vote on a bad deal for Greece rather than a referendum on its continued membership in the single-currency eurozone.
“On Sunday, it’s not Greece’s participation in the euro that’s at stake,” Mr. Tsipras said. He has argued that a successful “no” vote would give him the leverage he needs to negotiate the bailout on better terms for Greece.“On Sunday, it’s not Greece’s participation in the euro that’s at stake,” Mr. Tsipras said. He has argued that a successful “no” vote would give him the leverage he needs to negotiate the bailout on better terms for Greece.
In his speech he highlighted a report published this week by the International Monetary Fund that said Greece needed 50 billion euros, or $55 billion, in debt relief, saying it vindicated the country’s decision to reject the bailout terms offered by its international creditors.In his speech he highlighted a report published this week by the International Monetary Fund that said Greece needed 50 billion euros, or $55 billion, in debt relief, saying it vindicated the country’s decision to reject the bailout terms offered by its international creditors.
“Yesterday, an event of major political importance happened,” Mr. Tsipras said. “The I.M.F. published a report on Greece’s economy which is a great vindication for the Greek government as it confirms the obvious — that Greek debt is not sustainable.”“Yesterday, an event of major political importance happened,” Mr. Tsipras said. “The I.M.F. published a report on Greece’s economy which is a great vindication for the Greek government as it confirms the obvious — that Greek debt is not sustainable.”
As a mix of anger, recrimination and resignation intensified ahead of the referendum, both camps sought to underline the perils facing Greece if the other side prevailed. Opinion polls suggest the two sides are neck and neck.As a mix of anger, recrimination and resignation intensified ahead of the referendum, both camps sought to underline the perils facing Greece if the other side prevailed. Opinion polls suggest the two sides are neck and neck.
The mood could be swinging slightly in favor of a “yes” vote, analysts said, as frustration and anger grew over the closing of banks, long lines at cash machines and a €60 daily limit on cash withdrawals.The mood could be swinging slightly in favor of a “yes” vote, analysts said, as frustration and anger grew over the closing of banks, long lines at cash machines and a €60 daily limit on cash withdrawals.
European leaders have warned that if Greece votes no, it could be the beginning of the country’s departure from the 19-member eurozone.European leaders have warned that if Greece votes no, it could be the beginning of the country’s departure from the 19-member eurozone.
But Mr. Tsipras has sought to frame the referendum as a vote on whether Greeks agree to what he views as a humiliating deal that will impose austerity measures and further impede economic growth.But Mr. Tsipras has sought to frame the referendum as a vote on whether Greeks agree to what he views as a humiliating deal that will impose austerity measures and further impede economic growth.
Leaders across Europe and particularly in Germany have grown frustrated with Mr. Tsipras and his leftist government, and many are hoping privately that a yes vote will signal his political demise, clearing the way for a less intransigent leader.Leaders across Europe and particularly in Germany have grown frustrated with Mr. Tsipras and his leftist government, and many are hoping privately that a yes vote will signal his political demise, clearing the way for a less intransigent leader.
The yes camp, in contrast, is warning that a vote against accepting the creditors’ terms threatens to plunge the country into even worse economic crisis, undermining Greece’s clout on the global stage.The yes camp, in contrast, is warning that a vote against accepting the creditors’ terms threatens to plunge the country into even worse economic crisis, undermining Greece’s clout on the global stage.
Mr. Tsipras’s announcement last weekend that a referendum would be held took European leaders by surprise and has come under criticism from several quarters, including from the Council of Europe, a human rights organization, which has said that the 11th-hour vote falls short of international standards. The group has said that there must be at least two weeks’ notice for a referendum to allow for the necessary debate, that it must have a clear question and that it must include international observers.Mr. Tsipras’s announcement last weekend that a referendum would be held took European leaders by surprise and has come under criticism from several quarters, including from the Council of Europe, a human rights organization, which has said that the 11th-hour vote falls short of international standards. The group has said that there must be at least two weeks’ notice for a referendum to allow for the necessary debate, that it must have a clear question and that it must include international observers.
The divisions regarding Greece were also playing out on social media, where Mr. Tsipras, an intermittent presence with several Twitter accounts, used his official prime minister’s handle on Thursday to post a message saying that he believed that he saw signs of “retreat” from Greece’s creditors once the referendum was scheduled.The divisions regarding Greece were also playing out on social media, where Mr. Tsipras, an intermittent presence with several Twitter accounts, used his official prime minister’s handle on Thursday to post a message saying that he believed that he saw signs of “retreat” from Greece’s creditors once the referendum was scheduled.
The remark appeared to infuriate an employee of the European Union, who replied that Mr. Tsipras should not send such “lies from your personal handle. You crook.” That message later appeared to have been removed.The remark appeared to infuriate an employee of the European Union, who replied that Mr. Tsipras should not send such “lies from your personal handle. You crook.” That message later appeared to have been removed.