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Greece debt crisis: Tsipras urges 'No' to 'blackmail' Greece debt crisis: Tsipras urges 'No' to 'blackmail'
(about 2 hours later)
Greek PM Alexis Tsipras has called on voters to reject "blackmail" when they vote in a bailout referendum on Sunday.Greek PM Alexis Tsipras has called on voters to reject "blackmail" when they vote in a bailout referendum on Sunday.
In a short TV address, he insisted Greece's presence in the EU was not at stake and urged voters to reject the "sirens of scaremongering". In a TV address, he insisted Greece's presence in the EU was not at stake.
On Sunday, Greek voters will decide whether they support the terms of further international loans, following months of tough talks with creditors. There were short-lived scuffles between police and protesters as "Yes" and "No" rallies began in Athens on Friday.
EU leaders have warned that a "No" vote could see Greece leave the eurozone. A Greek court has rejected a challenge to the legality of the referendum, in which voters will decide whether they support the terms of further international loans.
Greece's economy is already being squeezed after the country lost access to fresh funds. It comes after tough talks with creditors, and EU leaders have warned that a "No" vote could see Greece leave the eurozone.
Banks have been shut and limits imposed on cash withdrawals, with the head of Greece's banking association warning that although the banks have enough funds until Monday, they will be dependent on the European Central Bank thereafter. Greece's economy is already being squeezed after its bailout ran out on Monday.
Supporters and opponents of the governing Syriza party are now racing to reach voters before time runs out, with "Yes" and "No" posters vying for space and rival rallies planned in Athens on Friday night. Banks have been shut and limits imposed on cash withdrawals.
There have also been forceful exchanges of views across the continent, with European politicians starkly denying Greek claims that a "No" vote will strengthen their hand in the bailout negotiations. The head of Greece's banking association has warned that warning that although the banks have enough funds until Monday, they will be dependent on the European Central Bank thereafter.
"If the Greeks will vote 'No' the Greek position will be dramatically weakened," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. "Even with a 'Yes' vote we'll face difficult negotiations," he said. Claims by Greek politicians that a "No" vote will strengthen their hand in bailout negotiations have been rebuffed by European leaders.
German scepticism - Jenny Hill, BBC News, Berlin Both EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Jeroen Dijsselbloem - head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers - have insisted a "No" vote will weaken the Greeks' position and that even a "Yes" vote will not mean a deal is easy to agree.
Ask most individuals here about Greece and they express sympathy for its people but impatience and irritation with its government. Desperate times
More than one politician has remarked that Greece will cost Germany more money anyway - either in support if it crashes out of the eurozone or in further help if it stays in. It is a scene that speaks of suffering and exhaustion, and one that may well become the lasting image of the Greek debt crisis.
Germans count cost of propping up Greece An elderly man, sitting on the ground outside a bank, was photographed crying on Friday morning.
And Jeroen Dijsselbloem - head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers - dismissed as "completely false" a claim by Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis that a deal would be reached very shortly after the referendum, allowing banks to reopen on Tuesday. The image, taken in Thessaloniki by AFP's Sakis Mitrolidis, was widely shared on social media as soon as it was published.
Mr Dijsselbloem said Athens had chosen a "very risky" path regardless of the outcome of the referendum, reports Reuters news agency. The man, whose name was not disclosed, was helped away soon after it was taken.
His story is not known, but those of plenty of other pensioners are.
Monthly pensions have gone down to an average of €833 ($924; £594) from an average of €1,350 in 2009, according to INE-GSEE, the institute behind Greece's biggest union.
Read more: Cost of crisis to pensioners
Several European officials have complained in strong terms about Greece's abrupt decision to hold a referendum on the terms of a bailout offer that they say is no longer on the table.Several European officials have complained in strong terms about Greece's abrupt decision to hold a referendum on the terms of a bailout offer that they say is no longer on the table.
But in a ruling on Friday, Greece's top administrative court rejected an appeal lodged by two individuals who had argued that it was illegal to hold popular votes on fiscal matters.
Debt 'unsustainable'Debt 'unsustainable'
In his address on Friday, Mr Tsipras referred to an IMF report published on Thursday which said Greece would need an extra €50bn euros ($55bn; £36bn) over the next three years to stabilise its finances and repeated suggestions that Greece needed debt relief. In his address, Mr Tsipras referred to an IMF report published on Thursday which said Greece would need an extra €50bn euros ($55bn; £36bn) over the next three years to stabilise its finances and repeated suggestions that Greece needed debt relief.
The recent negotiations were over the release of a final tranche of bailout funds of €7.2bn.
Greece's mountain of €323bn debt was "not sustainable", Mr Tsipras said. He said he had called for a 30% "haircut" off the debt and a 20-year grace period for the rest.Greece's mountain of €323bn debt was "not sustainable", Mr Tsipras said. He said he had called for a 30% "haircut" off the debt and a 20-year grace period for the rest.
"I urge you to say no to ultimatums, blackmail and the campaign of fear," Mr Tsipras said in his address on Friday. Mr Tsipras urged voters to reject the "sirens of scaremongering".
But he insisted the referendum result would be accepted. But he added: "Whatever we choose... Come Monday we are all together."
"Whatever we choose... Come Monday we are all together."
Lenders' proposals: Key sticking pointsLenders' proposals: Key sticking points
Source: European Commission document, 26 Jun 15 (pdf)Source: European Commission document, 26 Jun 15 (pdf)
Greek debt jargon explainedGreek debt jargon explained
Tsipras and his Greek gambleTsipras and his Greek gamble
A poll published in Ethnos newspaper on Friday showed the two sides evenly split, with the "Yes" vote at 44.8% and the "No" vote at 43.4%.A poll published in Ethnos newspaper on Friday showed the two sides evenly split, with the "Yes" vote at 44.8% and the "No" vote at 43.4%.
But the same poll showed 74% in favour of staying in the euro, with just 15% choosing a return to a national currency.But the same poll showed 74% in favour of staying in the euro, with just 15% choosing a return to a national currency.
Despite the campaigning, however, there is still a chance the referendum may be suspended.
Greece's top court, the Council of State, is due to rule on the legality of Sunday's vote and whether it breaches the constitution.
The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm - one of the "troika" of creditors along with the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank - wants Athens to raise taxes and slash welfare spending to meet its debt obligations.The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm - one of the "troika" of creditors along with the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank - wants Athens to raise taxes and slash welfare spending to meet its debt obligations.
On Tuesday, the previous eurozone bailout expired, depriving Greece of access to billions of euros in funds, and Athens missed a €1.5bn repayment to the IMF.On Tuesday, the previous eurozone bailout expired, depriving Greece of access to billions of euros in funds, and Athens missed a €1.5bn repayment to the IMF.
Are you in Greece? Has the turmoil affected you? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Greece? Has the turmoil affected you? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a telephone number if you are available to talk to a BBC journalist.Please include a telephone number if you are available to talk to a BBC journalist.
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