Yesterday’s Eurogroup decision to not approve the Greek government’s request for a few days’ extension of the program — to give the Greek people a chance to decide by referendum on the institutions’ ultimatum — constitutes an unprecedented challenge to European affairs, an action that seeks to bar the right of a sovereign people to exercise their democratic prerogative.A high and sacred right: the expression of opinion.
The Eurogroup’s decision prompted the European Central Bank (ECB) to not increase liquidity to Greek banks, and forced the Bank of Greece to recommend that banks remain closed, as well as [imposing] restrictive measures on withdrawals.
It is clear that the objective of the Eurogroup’s and ECB’s decisions is to attempt to blackmail the will of the Greek people and to hinder democratic processes, namely holding the referendum.
They will not succeed.
These decisions will only serve to bring about the very opposite result.
They will further strengthen the resolve of the Greek people to reject the unacceptable memorandum proposals and the institutions’ ultimatums.
One thing remains certain: the refusal of an extension of a few short days, and the attempt to cancel a purely democratic process is an insult and a great disgrace to Europe’s democratic traditions.
For this reason, I sent a short extension request again today – this time to the president of the European Council and to the 18 heads of state of the Eurozone, as well as to the heads of the ECB, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
I am awaiting their immediate response to this fundamentally democratic request.
They are the only ones who immediately can – even tonight – reverse the Eurogroup’s decision and enable the ECB to restore liquidity to the banks.
What is needed in the coming days is composure and patience. The bank deposits in the Greek banks are entirely secure.
This holds true for the payment of wages and pensions, as well. We will deal with any difficulties with calmness and determination.
The more calmly we confront difficulties, the sooner we will overcome them and the milder their consequences will be.
Today, we have the chance to prove to ourselves – and indeed, to the world – that justice can prevail.
Once again, we have a historic opportunity to send a message of hope and dignity to Europe and the world.
In these critical hours, as we face history together, we must remember that the only thing to fear is fear itself.
We will not allow it to overcome us.
We will succeed.
The dignity of the Greek people in the face of blackmail and injustice will send a message of hope and pride to all of Europe.
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2 Comments
… and if Mr Tsipras or even more Mr Varoufakis are reading, please bring to your Greek people hope in a life after EU, balance the partial messages conveyed through Skai, the only TV Greek people listen. It would be of great support in this time of great decision.
Nobody can today say what will become Greece after exiting EU, but it would be master of its own destiny, not enslaved to a financially biased or inefficient Troika. The path will be difficult and painful anyway, like it was for the last years; the suffering to reach your own goal is not like suffering for someone else’s goal.
With a project and a vision, “a dream” someone we all known one day said, everything could be possible; the end of a world is not the end of the world but instead the invention of a new world, and birth always carries amazing hope and joy! Pass this hope to your people.
The future could be your future, the one Greeks will make themselves.
Dear Vicky
Although criticism, and yours is a good example, is good to grow in many ways, Greeks are today facing a question that is now, right now about the future not about what could have been done.
European troika and countries relayed by international mainstream media have been and are currently scaring Greek people to make them stay in EU. So time is not about scaring people and blaming a party which had shown more guts than any known european countries beside Island. I do not think, neither many people here do, there is today better option for Greece than Syriza.
Time will come after Sunday to challenge Tsipras and his government if needed, because they will have to bring back all the good things about Greece and it includes nationalization as you said of all the fine industries and services Greeks can offer to the world instead of selling then to Chine, Germany or Russia.
Let’s stay united.