Greece: mixed reaction to referendum decision

Greece: mixed reaction to referendum decision
By Catherine Hardy with Euronews
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News of the impending referendum has caused alarm for some in Greece. The country’s Central Bank says deposits are now at their lowest level since

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News of the impending referendum has caused alarm for some in Greece. The country’s Central Bank says deposits are now at their lowest level since May 2004.

But while there is concern for some, for others there is resignation and relief:

“I don’t think a referendum is such a bad idea,” said one woman to Euronews, “at last we have a prime minister who is asking our opinion. There is no need to be so upset about it.”

For us, our future generations, our history. For #Greece’s sovereignty & dignity. http://t.co/3N9j6wNVvG#referendumpic.twitter.com/oFuOq36Ycd

— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 27, 2015

For some, there is a sense of irony about the decision to call a referendum.“Syriza did not support calls for a referendum in 2012,” one man pointed out, “now, all of a sudden, it is the right thing to do. It is logical that people are upset by the decision, it is not unusual.”

Others are realistic about the situation:“If we had the power on our own, as the Greek nation, to resist then I would say let’s do that. But we don’t have that power. There must be a real negotiation, a real conversation in order to stay in the Eurozone and in the EU.”

Euronews correspondent Akis Tatsis says after news of the referendum, the government insisted Greece’s banks would not be in danger. But many Greek people are worried, nonetheless.

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