The Corinth Canal: a metaphor for the feeling of division in Greece?

The Corinth Canal: a metaphor for the feeling of division in Greece?
By Euronews with AP
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The Corinth Canal, a stretch of water dividing the Greek mainland, could serve as a metaphor for the feeling of division within the country it cuts

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The Corinth Canal, a stretch of water dividing the Greek mainland, could serve as a metaphor for the feeling of division within the country it cuts in two.

Perhaps better used to welcoming pleasure-seeking tourists, the surrounding area has a sombre feel ahead of the referendum.

“I think people are divided,” says ballet teacher Elena Michaelidou. “You can’t really say, but I do believe the percentage of Syriza supporters has fallen for sure.”

Christos Kornios is a local olive oil producer and sits on the town council. He believes people’s anger could have positive aspects to it.

“Unfortunately, people are angry,” he said. “But, in a way it’s a good thing. People are scared now, because their daily lives are affected for the worse. But it’s a good fear, because it’s woken people up and stirred them to action. It’s a fear that comes with knowledge, or knowing what’s going on and what will happen in the future.”

Maria Theleiti is an MP for the ruling Syriza party, which is calling on Greeks to vote ‘No’ on Sunday (July 5).

She gave her view on the seeming shift in voters’ opinions.

“It’s true that in the beginning the percentage of people expected to vote ‘No’ was very high,” she acknowledged. “However, when the banks closed, the Greek people were shocked and it’s a people which has suffered a great deal and they’re scared now.”

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