Greeks will decide their own destiny: Greece PM
Greece’s prime minister says the country is determined to decide its own destiny in the eurozone as citizens vote in a crucial referendum on whether to accept the terms and conditions of a bailout by international creditors.
Alexis Tsipras made the remarks on Sunday as the Greek people cast their ballots in the referendum whose result will determine whether the nation accepts harsher austerity in exchange for more rescue loans.
"No one can ignore the message of determination of a people taking its destiny in its own hands," Tsipras said after casting his ballot in the capital, Athens.
The premier also emphasized that the Greeks were only voting to live "with dignity" and predicted "a new chapter for Europe" based on "democracy and solidarity" in the continent.
Meanwhile, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis also accused Athens' creditors - the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - of economic "terrorism" for raising fears of a potential Greece exit from the eurozone.
Nearly 10 million Greeks are eligible to take part in the plebiscite.
The Tsipras administration believes a 'No' vote will exert pressure on the international creditors to provide Athens with a better, more economically viable deal.
Athens 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 the bailouts, Athens committed to implementing harsh austerity measures, which sparked public outcry.
JR/HSN/SS
Russia launches 'ICBM' for first time against Ukraine: Kiev
Borrell urges sanctions on Israel for war crimes
Dutch police attack pro-Palestine protesters in Amsterdam, arrest activists
VIDEO | Jordanians continue rallies to denounce Israeli genocide in Gaza, Lebanon
6 Israeli soldiers commit suicide: Reports
Diplomat discourages recourse to pressure, intimidation, confrontation against Iran
UN: 2024 deadliest year for aid workers amid genocide in Gaza
Gaza health official warns of hospital shutdowns within 48 hours
Israel kills 5 more paramedics in southern Lebanon: Health ministry
Iran to launch ‘new, advanced’ centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: AEOI
Yemen fires hypersonic missile at Israeli airbase
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
