Athens, July 10 (IANS) Greece’s pro-Euro protesters returned to the streets here, as the government approved the debt deal proposal which will be sent in coming hours to the country’s lenders to stave off a looming bankruptcy and Grexit.
“We are staying in Europe” and “We do not negotiate this” read the banners waved by citizens, who were mobilised via social media.
“We will stay here, silent, waiting. Alexis we are not leaving until you bring us the agreement you promised,” read a Facebook invitation, urging demonstrators to continue a non-stop symbolic protest until white smoke emerges from Brussels.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called on the Greek people to vote against the draft tabled by the creditors in the July 5 referendum, pledging that with a strong “No” his government would secure a better deal within 48 hours of the negotiations.
Six out of 10 voters voted “No”.
The Eurozone summit in the Belgian capital on Tuesday night, however, ended with a clear warning from Greece’s counterparts that by Sunday’s extraordinary summit the Greeks would either have a comprehensive third reforms-for-cash bailout or will face Grexit.
A draft deal proposed here was ratified by a cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon and was ready to be tabled to lenders, Xinhua reported.
According to government sources, Tsipras appeared determined to reach an agreement.
The Greeks, who held several big pro-Euro rallies recently and voted “Yes” last Sunday, called on citizens regardless of what they voted for a few days ago to join forces and push for the signing of a deal to ensure Greece’s stay in Europe and the Eurozone.
“Yes to Greece, Yes to Euro. Greece-Europe-Democracy,” they chanted, waving Greek and EU flags once again on Thursday.
Another rally organised by the Greeks who voted “No” was scheduled for Friday evening.
This time the “No” supporters would call on the government to respect the people’s recent mandate and not impose further austerity measures.