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- Updated 21.30
THE GREEK ‘NO’ vote has run away with a landslide victory in today’s referendum on continuing the country’s bailout terms.
With more than 70% of votes counted, the ‘Oxi’ (‘No’) side is being put on 61.5% with the ‘Nei’ (‘Yes’) side coming in with 38.5% of the vote.
This has prompted the resignation of Greek opposition leader and the country’s former PM Antonis Samaras from the leadership of his New Democracy party this evening.
Support for the ‘No’ vote has come from across the country, with particularly strong backing in urban areas.
Gisela Oliveira / TwitterResults of #Greferendum live http://t.co/vbgfxQwHsB #Greece Ministry of Interior - with 61% votes counted 61,5% NO pic.twitter.com/rGyzBCQrw2
— Gisela Oliveira (@giselaoliv) July 5, 2015
Supporters have this evening gathered in Syntagma Square in Athens, the site of the Greek parliament, to celebrate the victory.
Paul Murphy / Twitter35% counted, #Oxi now at 61%. Crowds gathering at Syntagma.
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) July 5, 2015
Within less than half an hour of polling stations around the country closing, all six of Greece’s major television stations had predicted a ‘No’ win.
It has been reported by Helena Smith in The Guardian that the Greek government’s negotiation team may be preparing for a return to Brussels this evening.
Reaction
Following the vote reaction has been forthcoming from across Europe.
Greece’s finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has this evening held a press conference, saying that he is happy to reopen negotiations with the country’s creditors and that the Greek people had ‘ignored the fear’ created by closed banks and the international media.
He has said that “today’s ‘No’ is a big yes to democratic Europe”.
Yanis Varoufakis / Twitter"In 24h we COULD have an agreement", I said. But our toxic media rushed to report that I predicted an agreement within 24h. Go figure!
— Yanis Varoufakis (@yanisvaroufakis) July 5, 2015
Despite this, Sky News is reporting that Germany’s deputy chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has described the possibility of new talks as “difficult to imagine” following the result.
In contrast to this, Reuters are reporting the Italian position as having a notably softer tone, with calls being made for any rescue plan to take into account the ‘deep crisis’ that exists in the country.
Reuters Top News / TwitterBREAKING: A new rescue plan for Greece must take into account deep crisis, must include investment and reforms - Italian Treasury source.
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 5, 2015
AFP is reporting that PM Alexis Tsipras has already been on the phone with numerous leaders around Europe – including French president Francois Hollande and possibly ECB president Mario Draghi.
Speaking earlier, Greece’s interior minister Nikos Voutsis, addressed a press conference in which he described the referendum as “successful and of historical importance for everyone”.
What happens now?
Talks between Greece and its creditors are expected to resume as early as this evening.
Angela Merkel is set to travel to Paris tomorrow to meet with French president Francois Hollande to discuss the result of today’s referendum.
It is also being reported that following this meeting, Hollande could be set to call an emergency gathering of eurozone countries in Brussels on Tuesday.
In a newspaper report this morning, President of the European parliament Martin Schulz had mooted the possibility of an extension of further emergency loans from the EU to Greece to help keep its public service afloat.
Making the statements in the German newspaper Die Welt, he also stood over the approach that the EU had taken towards Greece.
According to Reuters, the European Central Bank’s executive board member Benoît Cœuré has said that the institution is prepared to take necessary action in what are ‘uncertain’ times.
The youth
The youth vote is being credited for the extent of Syriza’s victory.
It is thought that among young voters, the ‘No’ vote was backed by a proportion of two to one. It has been seen today that a larger proportion of older voters backed the ‘Yes’ vote – with fears over their savings and pensions.
Yannis Koutsomitis / TwitterΙ've been tweeting these past few days on the generational divide in the #Greferendum.
— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) July 5, 2015
Younger voters: 67% No
Elder: 37% No
The Guardian’s earlier described how the under-25 age group in the country could be a crucial demographic.
speaking to the newspaper, 18-year-old Greek Kosmas, said, “I will be voting ‘No’ because we have to say ‘No’ to the rotten system… I have never known anything else. There must be something better out there.”
- First published 12.45pm
- With additional reporting from - © AFP, 2015
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whether religious or not it’s some great walk.
Well done Spain, good tourism marketing, wonder is there a similar exercise we could undertake for the ould Sod.
Could be a massive pub crawl around Dublin called the ComeIno Walk. When completed the compestelo will be a pint of Guinness at St. James’ Gate! Followed by a high mass gathering at the Temple Bar Centre for Advanced Alcoholics!!!!
We have it ! The WILD ATLANTIC WAY. And it’s a brilliant tourist marketing initiative . Well done Ireland Inc !
I did the first 200k of the French way last year. Have to say it was one of the best experiences ive had. I’m going back to finish it in August, I can’t wait. I’m trying to raise money for the Louth community drug and alcohol team for anyone that would like to sponsor me (ive no shame in begging) I know some people on here have attitudes to people with addictions but for those that don’t and would like to sponsor the charity here’s the link http://www.idonate.ie/mobile/fundraiser/65712_paddy-fagan-s-fundraising-page.html
What’s the best way to go about it solo?
@Malvolio heres great guide books that will tell you all you need to know. I met lots of people who had the same ones along the way. http://www.amazon.com/John-Brierley/e/B0034NMO4A
I was in Santiago last year. Really nice town, very relaxed. Great food, cheap beer and lovely hotel. I would highly recommend it for a weekend away if you are looking for something different. You can always pretend you just finished the camino!
Walking is good for the body, mind and soul but not doing it on the 12th July lol.
Have walked a stretch of it each year since 2011. It’s a great part of Spain. The French Way is getting a little crowded of late, especially during the summer months. Having said that, I always find an excuse to go back :)
have your say