Greece 'No' voters in lead ahead of bailout referendum

AFP News

1 July 2015 at 11:01 am

Anti-austerity protesters call for a 'No' vote in the forthcoming referendum as they demonstrate outside the Greek parliament in Athens, on June 29, 2015

Pro-Eurozone supporters hold a large European Union flag reading 'Yes' during a rally outside the parliament building in Athens, on June 30, 2015

Almost half of Greeks intend to vote 'No' in a weekend referendum on the terms of its bailout, but capital controls are boosting the 'Yes' camp, a poll showed Wednesday. The Prorata survey was carried out between Sunday and Tuesday, following the government's decision to impose strict capital controls and close the banks after a breakdown in talks with its international creditors. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called on Greeks to vote 'No' in the plebiscite, which will ask voters whether they want to accept the latest deal from Athens' creditors -- a deal he has branded "humiliating". Preparations are already underway for Sunday's referendum, which could seal the country's financial fate. Before the capital controls came into effect, 57 percent said they would vote 'No' to the bailout, with 30 percent planning to vote 'Yes' and five percent undecided. But after the measures -- including a daily cap of 60 euros ($66) on withdrawals at ATMs -- were imposed on Monday, the 'Yes' camp grew amid fears that Tsipras's stand will inflict more pain on recession-hit Greece, already struggling with sky high unemployment and mammoth debts. Forty-six percent of those polled Tuesday said they would vote 'No', compared to 37 percent in the 'Yes' camp and 17 percent still undecided, according to the survey carried out for the Ephimerida ton syndakton daily. Around 20,000 people demonstrated in Syntagma square in Athens on Tuesday in favour of a 'Yes' vote, which is being seen by many as a vote to stay in the eurozone and the European Union. Some 13,000 people had rallied for a 'No' demo against the bailout and austerity on Monday evening. Tspiras has staked his job on the referendum. A 'Yes' victory could see the government forced to resign, while a triumph for the 'No' camp could see the country exit the eurozone, with untold consequences for the EU.