Greece solidarity protesters interrupt Merkel’s speech
A group of anti-austerity protesters have interrupted German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s speech in the capital Berlin to show solidarity with 'No' voters in Greece’s bailout referendum.
On Saturday morning, the protesters entered the venue where Merkel was scheduled to deliver a speech on the 70th anniversary of the foundation of her party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The demonstrators held signs with the word “OXI”, meaning “No” in Greek, and chanted the same word to express their support for a "No" vote in Sunday’s plebiscite, in which Greeks will choose whether to accept international creditors’ demands for more austerity in return for bailout loans.
In response to the protesters, Merkel said, “In order to balance the situation once again, we say ‘NAI’, which means ‘Yes’ in Greek.”
In just a few seconds, security forces escorted the demonstrators out of the building.
Also on Saturday, people in various countries, including the UK, Ireland, and Australia took to the streets to express solidarity with Greek 'No' voters. The demonstrators waved Greek flags and held banners, showing solidarity with the anti-austerity government of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Tsipras believes a 'No' vote will exert added pressure on the international creditors - the European Central Bank, the European Commission, and the International Monetary Fund - to provide Athens with a better, more economically viable deal.
Greece received two bailout packages in 2010 and 2012 worth a total of €240 billion ($272 billion) from its creditors following its 2009 economic crisis in return for implementing harsh austerity measures.
The debt-ridden country is seeking a third bailout in the hope of resolving its deepening financial crisis.
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