ATHENS, Hellenic Republic. Greece’s top court has overruled an appeal from two Greek citizens against the decision to hold a referendum on Greece’s latest bailout package, clearing the vote to go ahead on Sunday.
Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Athens for two rallies, held by the yes and no camps. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addressed the latter, urging his supporters to express a “proud no to ultimatums and those who terrorise you”. He then tweeted that Greece will be sending a “message of democracy and dignity to Europe and the world”. Rallies showing solidarity with Greece’s anti-austerity movement are also being held in other European countries, including several German cities and Rome.
Earlier on Friday, Tsipras said Thursday’s IMF report, which called for debt relief and a 20-year grace period, vindicated the Greek government. According to reports, the US pushed for the report to be published, against European resistance.
European council president Donald Tusk has sought to calm the waters between Greece and its creditors by saying that Sunday’s referendum in Greece is not a vote on euro membership.
It emerged that Greek banks have a buffer of €1bn – enough cash to last them until Monday, when the European Central Bank will decide whether to increase loans to Greek banks.
The latest polling, just two days before the vote, puts the two camps almost neck and neck – “too close to call”, according to Ipsos.
An Ipsos poll just released shows the referendum on a knife-edge. It has yes on 44% and no one point behind on 43%, with 12% still undecided.
The number of undecided respondents underscores the significant potential for volatility, Ipsos said, describing the referendum as “too close to call”.
The poll is the fifth to be released on Friday, with the fourth also giving a narrow lead to the yes camp.
It also shows that, regardless of where they place their own support, more Greeks believe that the yes side will win than think victory will be handed to the no camp.
Credit: The Guardian (UK)
