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| Greek referendum: millions vote as markets prepare for turbulence – live | Greek referendum: millions vote as markets prepare for turbulence – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.14pm BST16:14 | |
| Only one choice was being recommended at this polling station in Chalkida, Evia today, reports my colleague Daniel Howden. | |
| The Greek depression has hit the cement works and shipyards hard here, lending strong support to the ruling radical left coalition, Syriza. | |
| 4.07pm BST16:07 | |
| Daniel Howden | |
| In the island of Evia, a popular retreat from the heat of Athens, there appears to be strong support for the No vote. | |
| Sporting a “No for dignity” badge, Athina Vlahogiorgou says that those calling for yes vote were “spitting in the face of the Greek people.” | |
| A single parent with two children, she is among the large cadre of the long term unemployed. “After the last five years, whoever wants to ignore what’s been done to us has something wrong in their head.” | |
| “This is not about the Drachma or the Euro. This is a class issue.” | |
| Her son, who has just turned 21, has left for London where he works in the kitchen of a fast food restaurant. | |
| “He couldn’t even find a job like that here. What do I have left to lose?” | |
| 4.05pm BST16:05 | |
| We’re in to the final hour of voting.... | |
| One hour to close of polls #greferendum | |
| 4.04pm BST16:04 | |
| Kate Connolly | |
| Following Angela Merkel’s statement to the Bundestag last week that a third Greek debt relief package was likely but could only be hammered out after the referendum, Anja Maier writes an interesting analysis of the German chancellor’s position in the left-wing Berlin newspaper TAZ. | |
| “Is Merkel invulnerable?” she asks, arguing: | |
| “At the moment, in the role of the unhysterical albeit worried leader, she appears to be undamaged by the crisis. You can sense that she is quite content with the idea of refusing to hold any more talks with Athens. | |
| Even in these hardcore days it is said that she is sleeping well at night. During the most critical moments of the Ukraine crisis she appeared to be much more worn out than she does now.” | |
| To answer further the question as to how much the Greek crisis might have damaged Merkel, Maier turns to Lutz Meyer, the PR man who managed Merkel’s 2013 election campaign. | |
| Why, he asks, should Merkel come out of this badly? In his view: | |
| “The Euro will remain, Europe will not collapse, and Germany will retain its reputation as the country that advocates tight household budgetary control.” | |
| Neither can Merkel be blamed as the German politician who made the rather controversial decision to let Greece into the Eurozone in the first place. Maybe Greece should never have been allowed in, Meyer remarks: | |
| “But it was the government of (Gerhard) Schröder who decided on that, not Frau Merkel.” | |
| Updated at 4.04pm BST | |
| 4.00pm BST16:00 | |
| Whatever happens today, Greece faces plenty of political drama in the weeks ahead. | |
| Analysts at Royal Bank of Scotland have outlined the main consequences of today’s vote: | |
| #Greferendum : roadmap after the vote https://t.co/GweDDciPad pic.twitter.com/owYXg5WNO6 | |
| (ELA = emergency funding to Greek banks, which is currently capped at €89bn). | |
| 3.56pm BST15:56 | |
| Kate Connolly | |
| According to respected Swiss paper, Neue Zürcher am Sonntag Zeitung, Greece is planning a tax amnesty for all Greeks who own Swiss bank accounts. | |
| The country, writes the paper, is so desperate for money to fill its coffers that it has appealed to tax evaders to come forward and they will escape prosecution if they pay 21% on their undeclared income. The paper refers to “well informed circles”. | |
| Estimates as to how much untaxed Greek money is lying in Swiss bank accounts vary widely, ranging says the NZZ, from between €2bn to €200bn. The amnesty could therefore prove to be a good move - if tax evaders react to the offer. | |
| Back in April, Yanis Varoufakis pledged to introduce legislation to encourage Greeks to reveal undeclared assets in Switzerland. | |
| 3.50pm BST15:50 | |
| Sky News’s economics editor, Ed Conway, has treked to the Athens suburb of Holargos where Greece’s central bank owns a printing press: | |
| The heavily-fortified Greek banknote printing works. What currency will they be printing in a few months' time? pic.twitter.com/CFxurghTiZ | |
| That’s where the drachma was printed, before Greece joined the euro, and in theory it could produce notes again. Although, as explained on Bloomberg, creating a new currency usually takes months. | |
| 3.41pm BST15:41 | |
| Hot day in Athens as Greeks vote in referendum and head to beaches. Lines at ATMs just as long, some longer #Grefenderum | |
| 3.41pm BST15:41 | |
| Jill Treanor | |
| The events in Greece are dominating the thoughts of many bankers this weekend. | |
| Barclays has a team of foreign exchange experts arriving at 5pm. Its research, sales and trading staff have been monitoring the Greek referendum all weekend. | |
| The main Asian markets will all be trading by 2.30am London time so traders will getting ready to put through trades for clients. Analysts will need to be ready to give advice to clients on the implications of the referendum. | |
| 3.21pm BST15:21 | 3.21pm BST15:21 |
| More photos from Greece today, via our GuardianWitness assignment: | More photos from Greece today, via our GuardianWitness assignment: |
| OXI | OXI |
| OXI (=no) written on the Street at Ano Glyfada | OXI (=no) written on the Street at Ano Glyfada |
| Sent via Guardian Witness | Sent via Guardian Witness |
| By Eleni Gabriella Grigovits | By Eleni Gabriella Grigovits |
| 5 July 2015, 14:11 | 5 July 2015, 14:11 |
| Checking out where to vote Athens. | Checking out where to vote Athens. |
| Two generations of voters checking out exactly where to cast their vote. | Two generations of voters checking out exactly where to cast their vote. |
| Sent via Guardian Witness | Sent via Guardian Witness |
| By finnkd | By finnkd |
| 5 July 2015, 14:44 | 5 July 2015, 14:44 |
| Updated at 3.27pm BST | Updated at 3.27pm BST |
| 3.16pm BST15:16 | 3.16pm BST15:16 |
| 3.13pm BST15:13 | 3.13pm BST15:13 |
| The BBC’s Robert Peston reports that the Greek government will hold talks with its central bank, and the country’s major commercial banks, tonight to discuss the situation. | The BBC’s Robert Peston reports that the Greek government will hold talks with its central bank, and the country’s major commercial banks, tonight to discuss the situation. |
| Greek finance minister @yanisvaroufakis & Bank of Greece to hold emergency meeting with banks late tonight after poll result, I've learned | Greek finance minister @yanisvaroufakis & Bank of Greece to hold emergency meeting with banks late tonight after poll result, I've learned |
| 3.11pm BST15:11 | 3.11pm BST15:11 |
| Sky News’s Emily Purser reports that the €60 per day cap on ATM withdrawals is now effectively down to €50, because €20 notes are in such short supply. | Sky News’s Emily Purser reports that the €60 per day cap on ATM withdrawals is now effectively down to €50, because €20 notes are in such short supply. |
| Because banks have virtually run out of €20 notes, the withdrawal cap is effectively €50 now. Could reduce further this week #Greece | Because banks have virtually run out of €20 notes, the withdrawal cap is effectively €50 now. Could reduce further this week #Greece |
| The European Central Bank is due to meet on Monday to discuss Greece, a week after capping the emergency funding it provides to its banks (which is now clearly running out). | The European Central Bank is due to meet on Monday to discuss Greece, a week after capping the emergency funding it provides to its banks (which is now clearly running out). |
| 3.01pm BST15:01 | 3.01pm BST15:01 |
| There are just two hours to go until the polls close across Greece. | There are just two hours to go until the polls close across Greece. |
| We may then get polling data, indicating how Greeks have voted on this momentous day. | We may then get polling data, indicating how Greeks have voted on this momentous day. |
| However, it appears these will be ‘phone polls’, asking people how they voted - rather than surveys taken outside the polling stations. | However, it appears these will be ‘phone polls’, asking people how they voted - rather than surveys taken outside the polling stations. |
| So we may have to wait a couple of hours until actual data come in. And if it’s a tight race, the result won’t come until after midnight in Greece (and probably the UK too) | So we may have to wait a couple of hours until actual data come in. And if it’s a tight race, the result won’t come until after midnight in Greece (and probably the UK too) |
| Greek "exit polls" (due 5pm UK time) won't be actual data from polling stations, just phone polls done today. https://t.co/FYt2tiH0wH | Greek "exit polls" (due 5pm UK time) won't be actual data from polling stations, just phone polls done today. https://t.co/FYt2tiH0wH |
| 2.46pm BST14:46 | 2.46pm BST14:46 |
| Kate Connolly | Kate Connolly |
| The Bild tabloid is reporting on how Europe’s bankers are hunkering down for a long night. | The Bild tabloid is reporting on how Europe’s bankers are hunkering down for a long night. |
| Deutsche Bank, for one, is planning a telephone conference for its top bankers at 10pm local time, in order to advise on the results of the referendum and what a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ will mean for international creditors. | Deutsche Bank, for one, is planning a telephone conference for its top bankers at 10pm local time, in order to advise on the results of the referendum and what a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ will mean for international creditors. |
| Other big banks are reportedly taking similar action. | Other big banks are reportedly taking similar action. |
| 2.44pm BST14:44 | 2.44pm BST14:44 |
| Gérard Araud, France’s ambassador to the United States, has tweeted that Paris will do everything it can to avoid Grexit: | Gérard Araud, France’s ambassador to the United States, has tweeted that Paris will do everything it can to avoid Grexit: |
| Whatever the result of the Greek referendum, France will do its utmost so that Greece remains member of the EU and of the Eurozone. | Whatever the result of the Greek referendum, France will do its utmost so that Greece remains member of the EU and of the Eurozone. |
| 2.34pm BST14:34 | 2.34pm BST14:34 |
| Solid turnout seen so far in Greek bailout vote: Local media reports that turnout has crossed crucial 40% mark for referendum to be valid. | Solid turnout seen so far in Greek bailout vote: Local media reports that turnout has crossed crucial 40% mark for referendum to be valid. |
| 2.34pm BST14:34 | 2.34pm BST14:34 |
| Kate Connolly | Kate Connolly |
| Germany’s defence minister Ursula von der Leyen has delivered a swift rebuke to Yanis Varoufakis’s claim yesterday that the Greeks had been terrorised by their creditors. | Germany’s defence minister Ursula von der Leyen has delivered a swift rebuke to Yanis Varoufakis’s claim yesterday that the Greeks had been terrorised by their creditors. |
| She told the Passauer Neuen Presse: | She told the Passauer Neuen Presse: |
| “The remark by Varoufakis is a mockery to everyone that suffers from (the effects) of terrorism.” | “The remark by Varoufakis is a mockery to everyone that suffers from (the effects) of terrorism.” |
| 2.32pm BST14:32 | 2.32pm BST14:32 |
| The mayor of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, believes that Alexis Tsipras and the leaders of the other main political parties should “head to Brussels together” on Monday - regardless of whether Greece votes Yes or No. | The mayor of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, believes that Alexis Tsipras and the leaders of the other main political parties should “head to Brussels together” on Monday - regardless of whether Greece votes Yes or No. |
| Yiannis Boutaris, who was shortlisted for World Mayor 2014, said in a statement: | Yiannis Boutaris, who was shortlisted for World Mayor 2014, said in a statement: |
| “Whatever the result of the referendum, the prime minister and the politicalleaders must understand that they must get together and go to Brussels to give asign of credibility,” | “Whatever the result of the referendum, the prime minister and the politicalleaders must understand that they must get together and go to Brussels to give asign of credibility,” |
| 2.32pm BST14:32 | 2.32pm BST14:32 |
| Greece’s finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, continues to insist that Athens can reach an agreement with its lenders quickly, if the country votes no today. | Greece’s finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, continues to insist that Athens can reach an agreement with its lenders quickly, if the country votes no today. |
| Just now: @yanisvaroufakis Q: if it's a no vote, how quickly can you get a deal? A: "24 hours" (to @katieslaman @CNBC) | Just now: @yanisvaroufakis Q: if it's a no vote, how quickly can you get a deal? A: "24 hours" (to @katieslaman @CNBC) |
| 2.25pm BST14:25 | 2.25pm BST14:25 |
| As well as ticking that ballot paper, Greeks have been able to express their preferences at the local cake shop: | As well as ticking that ballot paper, Greeks have been able to express their preferences at the local cake shop: |
| Yes or no, come make an easier choice at Zappeion. Whatever you choose it's the same on the inside #greferendum pic.twitter.com/sa9dK7u61p | Yes or no, come make an easier choice at Zappeion. Whatever you choose it's the same on the inside #greferendum pic.twitter.com/sa9dK7u61p |
| 2.22pm BST14:22 | 2.22pm BST14:22 |
| The No campaign have been using images of Germany’s finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, and his Dutch counterpart Jeroen Dijsselbloem, to encourage people to tick the OXI box. | The No campaign have been using images of Germany’s finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, and his Dutch counterpart Jeroen Dijsselbloem, to encourage people to tick the OXI box. |
| At my polling station in Petroupoli, working-class Athens suburb. #GReferendum #Greece pic.twitter.com/puyCscIkWj | At my polling station in Petroupoli, working-class Athens suburb. #GReferendum #Greece pic.twitter.com/puyCscIkWj |
| (Dijsselbloem has chaired the eurogroup meetings where Greece battled with its creditors so often, and with little success, this year) | (Dijsselbloem has chaired the eurogroup meetings where Greece battled with its creditors so often, and with little success, this year) |
| Athens, electoral spot: NO/YES representatives on the right, KKE with its own ballot on the left. #Grefenderum pic.twitter.com/GrBLgPTPKm | Athens, electoral spot: NO/YES representatives on the right, KKE with its own ballot on the left. #Grefenderum pic.twitter.com/GrBLgPTPKm |
| Updated at 3.22pm BST | Updated at 3.22pm BST |
| 2.15pm BST14:15 | 2.15pm BST14:15 |
| Kate Connolly | Kate Connolly |
| Germany’s Spiegel newspaper has the inside line of how Angela Merkel reacted last weekend to the news that Alexis Tsipras had called today’s referendum, | Germany’s Spiegel newspaper has the inside line of how Angela Merkel reacted last weekend to the news that Alexis Tsipras had called today’s referendum, |
| It says an exasperated Merkel told the inner circle of her CDU party that his politics were “hard and ideological” and that he was “driving his country to the wall, with open eyes”. | It says an exasperated Merkel told the inner circle of her CDU party that his politics were “hard and ideological” and that he was “driving his country to the wall, with open eyes”. |
| Spiegel says that the quotes have been confirmed by several participants of the meeting at the Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin, last Monday. It added she was flabbergasted that he could “play roulette with an entire country”. | Spiegel says that the quotes have been confirmed by several participants of the meeting at the Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin, last Monday. It added she was flabbergasted that he could “play roulette with an entire country”. |
| Spiegel’s front page cover has Merkel sitting on the rubble of a collapsed Greece, with the headline “Die Trummerfrau” - a reference to the ‘rubble ladies’ who cleared up bombed-out Berlin after the war, and the declaration: | Spiegel’s front page cover has Merkel sitting on the rubble of a collapsed Greece, with the headline “Die Trummerfrau” - a reference to the ‘rubble ladies’ who cleared up bombed-out Berlin after the war, and the declaration: |
| “If the Euro collapses, so too will Merkel’s chancellorship”. | “If the Euro collapses, so too will Merkel’s chancellorship”. |
| "Woman of the ruins". If the #Euro collapse so too does #Merkel's chancellorship says @Spiegel in title story pic.twitter.com/ksDd4wtPU8 | "Woman of the ruins". If the #Euro collapse so too does #Merkel's chancellorship says @Spiegel in title story pic.twitter.com/ksDd4wtPU8 |
| 2.07pm BST14:07 | 2.07pm BST14:07 |
| Remember, you can share your experiences of today’s referendum through GuardianWitness, as this reader already has: | Remember, you can share your experiences of today’s referendum through GuardianWitness, as this reader already has: |
| To be or not to be? | To be or not to be? |
| Into the polling place, scanning the ballot, trying to find the better route for my country's future. | Into the polling place, scanning the ballot, trying to find the better route for my country's future. |
| Sent via Guardian Witness | Sent via Guardian Witness |
| By ΓΑΒΡΙΗΛ ΟΥΡΑΗΛΙΔΗΣ | By ΓΑΒΡΙΗΛ ΟΥΡΑΗΛΙΔΗΣ |
| 5 July 2015, 12:17 | 5 July 2015, 12:17 |
| Updated at 3.06pm BST | Updated at 3.06pm BST |
| 2.01pm BST14:01 | 2.01pm BST14:01 |
| Photos: Greeks head to the polls | Photos: Greeks head to the polls |
| Greek are continuing to vote in steady numbers; the Mega TV channel says turnout has already hit 35%, so safely on track to clear the 40% threshold to be legally valid. | Greek are continuing to vote in steady numbers; the Mega TV channel says turnout has already hit 35%, so safely on track to clear the 40% threshold to be legally valid. |
| And the Athens News Agency says ballot boxes are being filled at a similar rate to January’s general election, when 65% of the population voted. | And the Athens News Agency says ballot boxes are being filled at a similar rate to January’s general election, when 65% of the population voted. |
| Here’s some of the latest photos from this momentous day: | Here’s some of the latest photos from this momentous day: |
| Updated at 3.17pm BST | Updated at 3.17pm BST |
| 1.39pm BST13:39 | 1.39pm BST13:39 |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| 1.26pm BST13:26 | 1.26pm BST13:26 |
| 1.24pm BST13:24 | 1.24pm BST13:24 |
| Greek voting stations close at 5pm BST with the first exit poll expected shortly after. If the knife-edge vote indicated by the most recent opinion polls hold true, it will be the early hours of Monday before the actual result is known. | Greek voting stations close at 5pm BST with the first exit poll expected shortly after. If the knife-edge vote indicated by the most recent opinion polls hold true, it will be the early hours of Monday before the actual result is known. |
| Four things the Greek referendum will not change – economists at Société Générale: | Four things the Greek referendum will not change – economists at Société Générale: |
| First, in Greece - Yes or No - it will take time to gain clarity on the situation. Second, much political damage has already been done in the euro area; and more could be done. Third (and perhaps first in order of importance), the euro area needs urgently to accelerate structural reform; both the national and European level. | First, in Greece - Yes or No - it will take time to gain clarity on the situation. Second, much political damage has already been done in the euro area; and more could be done. Third (and perhaps first in order of importance), the euro area needs urgently to accelerate structural reform; both the national and European level. |
| While our baseline scenario is that contagion from Greece will remain modest thanks to better tools, there is a negative risk scenario that could influence policy decisions further afield and notably slow Fed rate hikes. | While our baseline scenario is that contagion from Greece will remain modest thanks to better tools, there is a negative risk scenario that could influence policy decisions further afield and notably slow Fed rate hikes. |
| On our list of points that the referendum will not change, however, is (fourth) the efforts by Chinese authorities to stem the decline in its equity markets. New measures announced by the Chinese authorities (IPO suspension and a new stabilisation fund) will be put to the test next week, whatever the Greeks vote. | On our list of points that the referendum will not change, however, is (fourth) the efforts by Chinese authorities to stem the decline in its equity markets. New measures announced by the Chinese authorities (IPO suspension and a new stabilisation fund) will be put to the test next week, whatever the Greeks vote. |
| 1.20pm BST13:20 | 1.20pm BST13:20 |
| The BBC is working hard to provide us with coverage on Greece: | The BBC is working hard to provide us with coverage on Greece: |
| This is commitment. @BBCTimFranks hosting #Newshour on @bbcworldservice under not one but two umbrellas. #greece pic.twitter.com/v44KYHOHFk | This is commitment. @BBCTimFranks hosting #Newshour on @bbcworldservice under not one but two umbrellas. #greece pic.twitter.com/v44KYHOHFk |
| 1.16pm BST13:16 | 1.16pm BST13:16 |
| Helena Smith | Helena Smith |
| Much ado here over other remarks the European parliament’s president Martin Schulz has also made today, says Helena Smith in Athens. | Much ado here over other remarks the European parliament’s president Martin Schulz has also made today, says Helena Smith in Athens. |
| Martin’s Schulz’s prediction that Greece will be forced to mint a new currency in the event of a ‘no’ vote has been causing waves. Several leading commentators have denounced it as shameful intervention in today’s democratic process. | Martin’s Schulz’s prediction that Greece will be forced to mint a new currency in the event of a ‘no’ vote has been causing waves. Several leading commentators have denounced it as shameful intervention in today’s democratic process. |
| “Deplorable” wrote Nikos Hatzinikolaou whose (usual) tact has helped make him Greece’s most famous journalist. | “Deplorable” wrote Nikos Hatzinikolaou whose (usual) tact has helped make him Greece’s most famous journalist. |
| The leading Greek daily Ta Nea reports today that the European parliament president made the comments last Thursday but “despite that they were made public on Sunday.” | The leading Greek daily Ta Nea reports today that the European parliament president made the comments last Thursday but “despite that they were made public on Sunday.” |
| 12.53pm BST12:53 | 12.53pm BST12:53 |
| Daniel Howden reports from central Greece again. | Daniel Howden reports from central Greece again. |
| 40 year old mother of two, Aristea, sitting on the step of the Devernohoria village school waiting for the lunch break to end at the poll station, admits that she hasn’t decided how she will vote. | 40 year old mother of two, Aristea, sitting on the step of the Devernohoria village school waiting for the lunch break to end at the poll station, admits that she hasn’t decided how she will vote. |
| “This referendum should never have happened. As Greeks we’ve reached the point where we need to get serious.” | “This referendum should never have happened. As Greeks we’ve reached the point where we need to get serious.” |
| She’s worried for her job in a company that exports first aid equipment. But she’s more concerned that her children will grow up in a country outside the EU. | She’s worried for her job in a company that exports first aid equipment. But she’s more concerned that her children will grow up in a country outside the EU. |
| “Our politicians are the worst of us. We don’t have leaders.” | “Our politicians are the worst of us. We don’t have leaders.” |
| “This is our fault as Greeks and the Europeans fault as well. Everyone is to blame. We should never have got here.” | “This is our fault as Greeks and the Europeans fault as well. Everyone is to blame. We should never have got here.” |
| She said that she would vote regardless of her reservations: “I have always voted. If you don’t vote you’re leaving it to someone else to decide.” | She said that she would vote regardless of her reservations: “I have always voted. If you don’t vote you’re leaving it to someone else to decide.” |
| 12.51pm BST12:51 | 12.51pm BST12:51 |
| Some people suggest the initial turnout for the referendum is low, despite all the media hype. | Some people suggest the initial turnout for the referendum is low, despite all the media hype. |
| At least half a million Greeks are unable to cast their vote because they live abroad, unless they have travelled back to their home country (the place where they are registered to vote). | At least half a million Greeks are unable to cast their vote because they live abroad, unless they have travelled back to their home country (the place where they are registered to vote). |
| A young Guardian reader voting for the first time says on GuardianWitness: | A young Guardian reader voting for the first time says on GuardianWitness: |
| I’m 18, a first-time voter. Our voting station was quiet, but friends are texting me that in some other neighborhoods organised groups of Syriza youths are booing politicians and harassing voters. This is sad, in my circle of friends we are split in half, like the rest of Greece, but decided when it all started that we won’t let it affect our friendships. | I’m 18, a first-time voter. Our voting station was quiet, but friends are texting me that in some other neighborhoods organised groups of Syriza youths are booing politicians and harassing voters. This is sad, in my circle of friends we are split in half, like the rest of Greece, but decided when it all started that we won’t let it affect our friendships. |
| Voting is such a scary thing! You have to face the fact that your decision can have a negative impact on your country.” | Voting is such a scary thing! You have to face the fact that your decision can have a negative impact on your country.” |
| 12.46pm BST12:46 | 12.46pm BST12:46 |
| Here are six questions (and answers) about what happens next, after the dust from the referendum settles. What happens in the event of a yes, no or ‘light no’ vote? asks Helena Smith, our correspondent in Athens. | Here are six questions (and answers) about what happens next, after the dust from the referendum settles. What happens in the event of a yes, no or ‘light no’ vote? asks Helena Smith, our correspondent in Athens. |
| 12.44pm BST12:44 | 12.44pm BST12:44 |
| Greek media, you lose! Democracy > fear for a fairer E.U. #OXI #oxi2015 #dimopsifisma #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/kXP6CMdHZZ | Greek media, you lose! Democracy > fear for a fairer E.U. #OXI #oxi2015 #dimopsifisma #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/kXP6CMdHZZ |
| 12.41pm BST12:41 | 12.41pm BST12:41 |
| Former LibDem parliamentary candidate George Cunningham is in Greece. | Former LibDem parliamentary candidate George Cunningham is in Greece. |
| I am in Greece. Referendum is taking place. OXI or NO posters dominate where I am. The EU's message is not heard much pic.twitter.com/6yqxvuv1r2 | I am in Greece. Referendum is taking place. OXI or NO posters dominate where I am. The EU's message is not heard much pic.twitter.com/6yqxvuv1r2 |
| 12.34pm BST12:34 | 12.34pm BST12:34 |
| Interesting series of tweets from Greek polling stations. | Interesting series of tweets from Greek polling stations. |
| A greek polling place. Poll workers say the turnout rate is low. Approximately 1/3 of registered voters have voted pic.twitter.com/nYuuSnmOmp | A greek polling place. Poll workers say the turnout rate is low. Approximately 1/3 of registered voters have voted pic.twitter.com/nYuuSnmOmp |
| A couple who just voted tell me "We don't really care. This will change nothing. It is always the same." | A couple who just voted tell me "We don't really care. This will change nothing. It is always the same." |
| All the votes get placed in a plastic bin watched over by this lady. She says people are voting, but are confused. pic.twitter.com/7KI35rCyOe | All the votes get placed in a plastic bin watched over by this lady. She says people are voting, but are confused. pic.twitter.com/7KI35rCyOe |
| 12.31pm BST12:31 | 12.31pm BST12:31 |
| Bundesbank chief told German cabinet Grexit would rip big hole in German budget | Bundesbank chief told German cabinet Grexit would rip big hole in German budget |
| Bundesbank president Jens Weidmann has warned that the German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble faces a big hole, of several billion euros, in his budget planning if Greece leaves the euro. He issued the stark warning to the German government in a cabinet session last Wednesday, German newspaper Handelsblatt reports, citing a government source. | Bundesbank president Jens Weidmann has warned that the German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble faces a big hole, of several billion euros, in his budget planning if Greece leaves the euro. He issued the stark warning to the German government in a cabinet session last Wednesday, German newspaper Handelsblatt reports, citing a government source. |
| The Bundesbank has made provisions of €14.4bn to deal with the fallout of the eurozone crisis, but this would probably not be be enough in a case of a Grexit, the paper said. | The Bundesbank has made provisions of €14.4bn to deal with the fallout of the eurozone crisis, but this would probably not be be enough in a case of a Grexit, the paper said. |
| Weidmann warned that the costs of a Grexit would hit Bundesbank profits, which flow into the German budget. Schäuble has factored in a Bundesbank profit of €2.5bn a year. | Weidmann warned that the costs of a Grexit would hit Bundesbank profits, which flow into the German budget. Schäuble has factored in a Bundesbank profit of €2.5bn a year. |
| The European Central Bank holds €20bn of Greek securities, and the Bundesbank’s share of the ECB’s profits or losses made on them is about a quarter. But the costs of a Grexit would be much larger, as the ECB would have to make other write-offs. | The European Central Bank holds €20bn of Greek securities, and the Bundesbank’s share of the ECB’s profits or losses made on them is about a quarter. But the costs of a Grexit would be much larger, as the ECB would have to make other write-offs. |
| Updated at 1.13pm BST | Updated at 1.13pm BST |
| 12.22pm BST12:22 | 12.22pm BST12:22 |
| Daniel Howden has spoken to a ‘Yes’ voter. Yannis Raptodimos, 29, who lives in Dervenohoria, central Greece, and works in a local munitions factory, warns of catastrophe if the drachma is reintroduced. | Daniel Howden has spoken to a ‘Yes’ voter. Yannis Raptodimos, 29, who lives in Dervenohoria, central Greece, and works in a local munitions factory, warns of catastrophe if the drachma is reintroduced. |
| Those who have money in the bank will vote Yes. Those with loans have been told that if they vote No they won’t have to repay them. | Those who have money in the bank will vote Yes. Those with loans have been told that if they vote No they won’t have to repay them. |
| This is not right. If you don’t repay loans the banks will fold. With the Drachma we’ll have catastrophe. | This is not right. If you don’t repay loans the banks will fold. With the Drachma we’ll have catastrophe. |
| 12.08pm BST12:08 | 12.08pm BST12:08 |
| Here are some more voices from Greece. | Here are some more voices from Greece. |
| Important day in #Greece. 17 yr old HS grads get to vote too, yet, consequences unclear either way. Driving my 17 yr old cousin home to vote | Important day in #Greece. 17 yr old HS grads get to vote too, yet, consequences unclear either way. Driving my 17 yr old cousin home to vote |
| Just voted in Athens, Elliniko. Remarkably organised considering it was all done in a week! Congrats! #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/gVfxAbHf0P | Just voted in Athens, Elliniko. Remarkably organised considering it was all done in a week! Congrats! #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/gVfxAbHf0P |
| 12.03pm BST12:03 | 12.03pm BST12:03 |
| Schulz: EU may grant more emergency aid to Greece | Schulz: EU may grant more emergency aid to Greece |
| European parliament president Martin Schulz has held out the prospect of more emergency loans from the EU to Greece to pay wages to civil servants and keep public services like transport, energy and the healthcare system running. | European parliament president Martin Schulz has held out the prospect of more emergency loans from the EU to Greece to pay wages to civil servants and keep public services like transport, energy and the healthcare system running. |
| In an interview with Germany’s conservative newspaper Die Welt am Sonntag, he defended the EU’s hardline approach against Athens, and expressed his hope that Greece would vote ‘Yes’ in Sunday’s referendum. | In an interview with Germany’s conservative newspaper Die Welt am Sonntag, he defended the EU’s hardline approach against Athens, and expressed his hope that Greece would vote ‘Yes’ in Sunday’s referendum. |
| But he held out an olive branch, saying: | But he held out an olive branch, saying: |
| We won’t abandon the Greek people to their fate. | We won’t abandon the Greek people to their fate. |
| 11.51am BST11:51 | 11.51am BST11:51 |
| John Hooper, the Guardian’s southern Europe editor, writes: | John Hooper, the Guardian’s southern Europe editor, writes: |
| First came Donald Tusk, the representative of the EU’s member governments, who said that a ‘No’ vote was “not ... about beingin the euro zone or not”. Then we had Wolfgang Schäuble telling the Greeks that the outcome of the referendum would merely decide whether their country kept the euro or would be “temporarily without it”. And now, today, we get a member of the ECB’s executive board, Benoît Cœuré appearing to say that, no matter which way the vote goes, “We will find the necessary instruments”. | First came Donald Tusk, the representative of the EU’s member governments, who said that a ‘No’ vote was “not ... about beingin the euro zone or not”. Then we had Wolfgang Schäuble telling the Greeks that the outcome of the referendum would merely decide whether their country kept the euro or would be “temporarily without it”. And now, today, we get a member of the ECB’s executive board, Benoît Cœuré appearing to say that, no matter which way the vote goes, “We will find the necessary instruments”. |
| Odd. No? | Odd. No? |
| All three gentlemen must surely understand that these remarks favour a ‘No’ vote. A lot of people those of us in the Guardian team here have spoken to in recent days have been in an agony of indecision: dare they vote for rejection of the terms if, as the ‘Yes’ camp has argued, it will in effect mean voting for Grexit? These comments will comfort and encourage them to put a cross by the OXI (Ochi). | All three gentlemen must surely understand that these remarks favour a ‘No’ vote. A lot of people those of us in the Guardian team here have spoken to in recent days have been in an agony of indecision: dare they vote for rejection of the terms if, as the ‘Yes’ camp has argued, it will in effect mean voting for Grexit? These comments will comfort and encourage them to put a cross by the OXI (Ochi). |
| Is this about regime change? Are Greece’s creditors trying to engineer the downfall of their tormentor, Alexis Tsipras? It seems unlikely: a ‘Yes’ vote would surely see him out of office much more swiftly. | Is this about regime change? Are Greece’s creditors trying to engineer the downfall of their tormentor, Alexis Tsipras? It seems unlikely: a ‘Yes’ vote would surely see him out of office much more swiftly. |
| Or are they trying instead to create the conditions for Grexit? And reassure the Greeks that they will make it as painless as they possibly can? | Or are they trying instead to create the conditions for Grexit? And reassure the Greeks that they will make it as painless as they possibly can? |
| 11.49am BST11:49 | 11.49am BST11:49 |
| French economy minister: Greece and creditors must get to work, can't count on ECB alone | French economy minister: Greece and creditors must get to work, can't count on ECB alone |
| Emmanuel Macron, the French economy minister, warned that Greece and its international creditors must work on a compromise to get the country out of its debt crisis, and not count only on support from the European Central Bank. | Emmanuel Macron, the French economy minister, warned that Greece and its international creditors must work on a compromise to get the country out of its debt crisis, and not count only on support from the European Central Bank. |
| Speaking at an economics conference in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, where ECB policymaker Benoît Cœuré vowed that the ECB would take more action if necessary, Macron said: | Speaking at an economics conference in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, where ECB policymaker Benoît Cœuré vowed that the ECB would take more action if necessary, Macron said: |
| Whatever the vote, we must start tomorrow to respond with political discussions to create a framework. | Whatever the vote, we must start tomorrow to respond with political discussions to create a framework. |
| It’s not about taking refuge behind the ECB and others that have already done more than enough. | It’s not about taking refuge behind the ECB and others that have already done more than enough. |
| Updated at 12.16pm BST | Updated at 12.16pm BST |
| 11.43am BST11:43 | 11.43am BST11:43 |
| Varoufakis confirms he will resign if 'Yes' vote wins | Varoufakis confirms he will resign if 'Yes' vote wins |
| Yanis Varoufakis, Greece’s flamboyant finance minister, has confirmed that he will resign if the referendum results in a ‘Yes’ vote. But he also told Germany’s Bild newspaper that there won’t be a majority for a ‘Yes’ . | Yanis Varoufakis, Greece’s flamboyant finance minister, has confirmed that he will resign if the referendum results in a ‘Yes’ vote. But he also told Germany’s Bild newspaper that there won’t be a majority for a ‘Yes’ . |
| Bild’s lead story on Sunday: “Greece is divided – it’s painful”. Greek journalist Liana Spyropoulou writes in the newspaper that the referendum has split families and friends. | Bild’s lead story on Sunday: “Greece is divided – it’s painful”. Greek journalist Liana Spyropoulou writes in the newspaper that the referendum has split families and friends. |
| 11.25am BST11:25 | 11.25am BST11:25 |
| Commentators have warned that the vote is a “complicated mess”. Mike Bird writes on Business Insider: | Commentators have warned that the vote is a “complicated mess”. Mike Bird writes on Business Insider: |
| [The vote] asks Greeks to give a single vote on two official bailout deal documents that few will have read, and even fewer will have understood. It’s not even clear that the deal being voted on is still on offer. | [The vote] asks Greeks to give a single vote on two official bailout deal documents that few will have read, and even fewer will have understood. It’s not even clear that the deal being voted on is still on offer. |
| Polls have been split pretty much straight down the middle. Nobody is sure who will win today. | Polls have been split pretty much straight down the middle. Nobody is sure who will win today. |
| The opposition to the bailout deal, including the government, argue that a “No” vote against the document will empower them in negotiations. Those in favour of the deal say the referendum is really a choice between the euro and Greece leaving the eurozone (a so-called Grexit). | The opposition to the bailout deal, including the government, argue that a “No” vote against the document will empower them in negotiations. Those in favour of the deal say the referendum is really a choice between the euro and Greece leaving the eurozone (a so-called Grexit). |
| 11.22am BST11:22 | 11.22am BST11:22 |
| Morning summary | Morning summary |
| Updated at 1.19pm BST | Updated at 1.19pm BST |
| 11.07am BST11:07 | 11.07am BST11:07 |
| #greekreferendum could be written in history as the 1st nat'l referendum where EU countries where somehow involved https://t.co/51eXFqJFK5 | #greekreferendum could be written in history as the 1st nat'l referendum where EU countries where somehow involved https://t.co/51eXFqJFK5 |
| 10.57am BST10:57 | 10.57am BST10:57 |
| Postcards from the edge in Athens where toll roads have been declared free. Toll booth operators in cheerful blue polo shirts sit staring into the distance with nothing to do, waving the traffic through, reports Daniel Howden. | Postcards from the edge in Athens where toll roads have been declared free. Toll booth operators in cheerful blue polo shirts sit staring into the distance with nothing to do, waving the traffic through, reports Daniel Howden. |
| 10.52am BST10:52 | 10.52am BST10:52 |
| #France's economy minister #Macron: if NO prevails at #Greece referendum, let's not re-enact the Versailles Treaty @EmmanuelMacron | #France's economy minister #Macron: if NO prevails at #Greece referendum, let's not re-enact the Versailles Treaty @EmmanuelMacron |
| It was after this exchange on Thurs 25 June (lunchtime) that Tsipras called Pavlopoulos on the referendum option http://t.co/1YU0QyegIm | It was after this exchange on Thurs 25 June (lunchtime) that Tsipras called Pavlopoulos on the referendum option http://t.co/1YU0QyegIm |
| 10.51am BST10:51 | 10.51am BST10:51 |
| Currency traders head to work on Sunday | Currency traders head to work on Sunday |
| Currency traders at several big investment banks are at their desks on Sunday, preparing for strong client demand following the Greek referendum, the Financial Times reports – £. After the weekend closure, the currency markets will start trading again in Asia on Monday morning, beginning in Australia and New Zealand at 10pm London time. | Currency traders at several big investment banks are at their desks on Sunday, preparing for strong client demand following the Greek referendum, the Financial Times reports – £. After the weekend closure, the currency markets will start trading again in Asia on Monday morning, beginning in Australia and New Zealand at 10pm London time. |
| HSBC said it was bringing in extra staff and JPMorgan was expected to do the same. Deutsche Bank also said staff would be covering the referendum. | HSBC said it was bringing in extra staff and JPMorgan was expected to do the same. Deutsche Bank also said staff would be covering the referendum. |
| 10.43am BST10:43 | 10.43am BST10:43 |
| Analysts say youth vote crucial | Analysts say youth vote crucial |
| Helena Smith | Helena Smith |
| More in from out Athens correspondent Helena Smith who has been speaking to analysts. | More in from out Athens correspondent Helena Smith who has been speaking to analysts. |
| Analysts are saying this morning the ballot could ultimately be swung by the youth vote. “A lot will depend on the participation of young voters today,” political commentator Aristides Hatzis told the Guardian. “Polls show that a huge majority, about 80 percent, of Greek youth would vote ‘no.’ How well the ‘no’ vote does will be based on this turn-out.” | Analysts are saying this morning the ballot could ultimately be swung by the youth vote. “A lot will depend on the participation of young voters today,” political commentator Aristides Hatzis told the Guardian. “Polls show that a huge majority, about 80 percent, of Greek youth would vote ‘no.’ How well the ‘no’ vote does will be based on this turn-out.” |
| The youth of crisis-torn Greece have been hit like no other sector of society. Joblessness levels among the under 25 age group currently exceed 55 %. | The youth of crisis-torn Greece have been hit like no other sector of society. Joblessness levels among the under 25 age group currently exceed 55 %. |
| Earlier today I spoke to Kosmas who turned 18 in March. “I will be voting ‘no’ because we have to say ‘no’ to the rotten system,” said the teenager, fiddling a large silver earring in his left ear. “I have never known anything else. There must be something better out there.” | Earlier today I spoke to Kosmas who turned 18 in March. “I will be voting ‘no’ because we have to say ‘no’ to the rotten system,” said the teenager, fiddling a large silver earring in his left ear. “I have never known anything else. There must be something better out there.” |
| Syriza has openly hinted it is basing much of its hope on the ‘no’ vote with Zoe Konstantopoulou, the president of the parliament and a prominent member of the party’s far left, recently cheering on the fact that, this time, young Greeks would be given the chance to vote. In general elections in January, the conservative-led government announced that for bureaucratic reasons it was too late to enroll first-time voters on the national register. | Syriza has openly hinted it is basing much of its hope on the ‘no’ vote with Zoe Konstantopoulou, the president of the parliament and a prominent member of the party’s far left, recently cheering on the fact that, this time, young Greeks would be given the chance to vote. In general elections in January, the conservative-led government announced that for bureaucratic reasons it was too late to enroll first-time voters on the national register. |
| And precisely because of this, the real talk of the town this morning is that the NO vote is going to win. | And precisely because of this, the real talk of the town this morning is that the NO vote is going to win. |
| “At this stage everyone I have talked to believes that there will be a ‘no’ vote,” added Hatzis a professor of law and economics at Athens University. “ I very much hope to be proven wrong.” | “At this stage everyone I have talked to believes that there will be a ‘no’ vote,” added Hatzis a professor of law and economics at Athens University. “ I very much hope to be proven wrong.” |
| Updated at 10.54am BST | Updated at 10.54am BST |
| 10.42am BST10:42 | 10.42am BST10:42 |
| European parliament president: Greece must introduce another currency if 'No' vote wins | European parliament president: Greece must introduce another currency if 'No' vote wins |
| The head of the European parliament, Martin Schulz, told German radio that Greece will have to introduce another currency if the ‘No’ vote prevails. | The head of the European parliament, Martin Schulz, told German radio that Greece will have to introduce another currency if the ‘No’ vote prevails. |
| He told Germany’s Deutschlandfunk in an interview broadcast on Sunday and taped on Thursday: | He told Germany’s Deutschlandfunk in an interview broadcast on Sunday and taped on Thursday: |
| Is Greece still in the euro after this referendum? That is certainly the case, but if they say ‘No’ they will have to introduce another currency after the referendum because the euro is not available as a means of payment. | Is Greece still in the euro after this referendum? That is certainly the case, but if they say ‘No’ they will have to introduce another currency after the referendum because the euro is not available as a means of payment. |
| The moment someone introduces a new currency, they exit the eurozone. Those are the elements that give me some hope that people will not vote ‘No’ today. | The moment someone introduces a new currency, they exit the eurozone. Those are the elements that give me some hope that people will not vote ‘No’ today. |
| Meanwhile, Germany’s hardline finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble, struck a more conciliatory tone towards Athens this weekend. Having previously insisted that a No vote on the cash-for-reforms deal would see Greece forced out of the euro, he told the Bild newspaper that the choice before Greeks was between holding on to the euro and being “temporarily without it”. | Meanwhile, Germany’s hardline finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble, struck a more conciliatory tone towards Athens this weekend. Having previously insisted that a No vote on the cash-for-reforms deal would see Greece forced out of the euro, he told the Bild newspaper that the choice before Greeks was between holding on to the euro and being “temporarily without it”. |
| It was unclear what Schäuble had in mind, but economists have mooted the notion of a period in which Greece might go back to its national currency, the drachma, while its economy recovered. The head of Germany’s Ifo institute, Hans-Werner Sinn, also suggested a temporary Grexit on Friday. | It was unclear what Schäuble had in mind, but economists have mooted the notion of a period in which Greece might go back to its national currency, the drachma, while its economy recovered. The head of Germany’s Ifo institute, Hans-Werner Sinn, also suggested a temporary Grexit on Friday. |
| 10.32am BST10:32 | 10.32am BST10:32 |
| ECB policymaker: central bank prepared 'to do more' | ECB policymaker: central bank prepared 'to do more' |
| The European Central Bank stands ready to take additional measures if necessary, ECB executive board member Benoît Cœuré said this morning. Speaking at an economics conference in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, he said, according to Reuters: | The European Central Bank stands ready to take additional measures if necessary, ECB executive board member Benoît Cœuré said this morning. Speaking at an economics conference in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, he said, according to Reuters: |
| In the current circumstances of great uncertainty in Europe and the world, the ECB has been clear that if we need to do more we will do more. We will find the necessary instruments. | In the current circumstances of great uncertainty in Europe and the world, the ECB has been clear that if we need to do more we will do more. We will find the necessary instruments. |
| Our will to act in this matter should not be doubted. | Our will to act in this matter should not be doubted. |
| 10.23am BST10:23 | 10.23am BST10:23 |
| Tsipras: 'Today democracy conquers fear' | Tsipras: 'Today democracy conquers fear' |
| “Today democracy conquers fear,” said Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras after casting his vote in Greece’s historic referendum. Here are his comments in full, courtesy of Reuters. | “Today democracy conquers fear,” said Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras after casting his vote in Greece’s historic referendum. Here are his comments in full, courtesy of Reuters. |
| He said in Athens’ working class district of Kypseli, where he is registered to vote: | He said in Athens’ working class district of Kypseli, where he is registered to vote: |
| Many people can ignore the will of a government. But no one can ignore the will of a people. | Many people can ignore the will of a government. But no one can ignore the will of a people. |
| Today is a day of celebration, because democracy is a celebration, it is joy. And when democracy overcomes fear and extortion, then it becomes a redemption and a way out. The Greek people today send a very strong message. A message of dignity and determination. The message that they hold a choice in their hands. No one can ignore the will of a people to live. To live with determination and take their life in their own hands. | Today is a day of celebration, because democracy is a celebration, it is joy. And when democracy overcomes fear and extortion, then it becomes a redemption and a way out. The Greek people today send a very strong message. A message of dignity and determination. The message that they hold a choice in their hands. No one can ignore the will of a people to live. To live with determination and take their life in their own hands. |
| I am certain that from tomorrow we will have broken a path for all the peoples in Europe. A path of return to the founding values of democracy and solidarity in Europe, sending a strong message of determination, not only to stay but also to live with dignity in Europe. To do well and work as equals among equals. Let us therefore make this act of strong will, this celebratory act of democracy, an act of determination for a better future for all of us, both in Greece and Europe. I am very optimistic.” | I am certain that from tomorrow we will have broken a path for all the peoples in Europe. A path of return to the founding values of democracy and solidarity in Europe, sending a strong message of determination, not only to stay but also to live with dignity in Europe. To do well and work as equals among equals. Let us therefore make this act of strong will, this celebratory act of democracy, an act of determination for a better future for all of us, both in Greece and Europe. I am very optimistic.” |
| #Tsipras is mobbed by the media after voting #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/xJQdASnFt3 | #Tsipras is mobbed by the media after voting #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/xJQdASnFt3 |
| Updated at 10.59am BST | Updated at 10.59am BST |
| 10.07am BST10:07 | 10.07am BST10:07 |
| Polling stations in Greece are open until 7pm local time (5pm BST), but there are suggestions that they could stay open later if they run short of envelopes. | Polling stations in Greece are open until 7pm local time (5pm BST), but there are suggestions that they could stay open later if they run short of envelopes. |
| Oxi or Nai? No or Yes on #Greek ballot paper today #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/rGkXNxBom3 | Oxi or Nai? No or Yes on #Greek ballot paper today #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/rGkXNxBom3 |
| If Greek polling stations run short of envelopes, polling might be delayed and even extended beyond planned 19:00 closure (16:00gmt) | If Greek polling stations run short of envelopes, polling might be delayed and even extended beyond planned 19:00 closure (16:00gmt) |
| 9.58am BST09:58 | 9.58am BST09:58 |
| Osborne warns UK not immune from European turmoil | Osborne warns UK not immune from European turmoil |
| Polling stations in Greece opened nearly five hours ago. | Polling stations in Greece opened nearly five hours ago. |
| George Osborne, the UK chancellor, has just been asked how he would vote in the Greek referendum on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show. | George Osborne, the UK chancellor, has just been asked how he would vote in the Greek referendum on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show. |
| He refused to say how he would vote, saying: “We should respect Greek democracy,” noting that the country is the “home of democracy”. | He refused to say how he would vote, saying: “We should respect Greek democracy,” noting that the country is the “home of democracy”. |
| Osborne warned that the UK is not immune from European turmoil, but added that Britain was prepared for any eventuality. David Cameron, the UK prime minister, will meet with Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, on Monday to discuss the outcome of the Greek referendum and what it means for the rest of Europe. | Osborne warned that the UK is not immune from European turmoil, but added that Britain was prepared for any eventuality. David Cameron, the UK prime minister, will meet with Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, on Monday to discuss the outcome of the Greek referendum and what it means for the rest of Europe. |
| Whatever Greece decides, Britain is prepared. We have the plans in place whatever the outcome is. | Whatever Greece decides, Britain is prepared. We have the plans in place whatever the outcome is. |
| I don’t think anyone should be in doubt that the outcome has an impact on the European economy, which is all the more reason to keep our house in order. | I don’t think anyone should be in doubt that the outcome has an impact on the European economy, which is all the more reason to keep our house in order. |
| We all want Greece to prosper…but ultimately if you’re in the single currency there are rules you have to abide by. | We all want Greece to prosper…but ultimately if you’re in the single currency there are rules you have to abide by. |
| 9.50am BST09:50 | 9.50am BST09:50 |
| Warning that potentially explosive moments lay ahead, the head of Greece’s orthodox communist party, KKE, Dimitris Koutsombas also called for unity, reports Helena Smith. | Warning that potentially explosive moments lay ahead, the head of Greece’s orthodox communist party, KKE, Dimitris Koutsombas also called for unity, reports Helena Smith. |
| “The workers’ class, with unity and alliance, must face whatever development, whether these lead to a new agreement, a guillotine essentially with tough measures or whether they lead to developments outside the euro, a double currency with our people being bankrupt.” | “The workers’ class, with unity and alliance, must face whatever development, whether these lead to a new agreement, a guillotine essentially with tough measures or whether they lead to developments outside the euro, a double currency with our people being bankrupt.” |
| The KKE has also urged supporters to reject creditors proposed reforms saying acceptance would lead to further pauperisation of Greeks. | The KKE has also urged supporters to reject creditors proposed reforms saying acceptance would lead to further pauperisation of Greeks. |
| 9.47am BST09:47 | 9.47am BST09:47 |
| Helena Smith | Helena Smith |
| Our correspondent in Athens, Helena Smith reports: | Our correspondent in Athens, Helena Smith reports: |
| By 10.30am the country’s entire political leadership had cast ballots. Voting in the central Athens district of Kypseli, prime minister Alexis Tsipras called the referendum a “day of celebration” for the crisis-hit country. | By 10.30am the country’s entire political leadership had cast ballots. Voting in the central Athens district of Kypseli, prime minister Alexis Tsipras called the referendum a “day of celebration” for the crisis-hit country. |
| Addressing a crush of reporters, amid loud cries of NO from supporters, Tsipras lashed out at the war of propaganda that had been waged in the week since he called had called the vote. | Addressing a crush of reporters, amid loud cries of NO from supporters, Tsipras lashed out at the war of propaganda that had been waged in the week since he called had called the vote. |
| “Democracy has defeated fear. The determination of the people will beat the propaganda of fear,” said the radical leftist who had openly campaigned for Greeks to vote no. “The people are sending a message. A government can be ignored but no one can ignore the desire of an entire people to take life in its hands. “ | “Democracy has defeated fear. The determination of the people will beat the propaganda of fear,” said the radical leftist who had openly campaigned for Greeks to vote no. “The people are sending a message. A government can be ignored but no one can ignore the desire of an entire people to take life in its hands. “ |
| Earlier, Greece’s head of state, president Prokopis Pavlopoulos emphasised the need for national unity. The referendum, the second to take place in more than 40 years, comes amid escalating signs of ethnic division and fears of civil strife. | Earlier, Greece’s head of state, president Prokopis Pavlopoulos emphasised the need for national unity. The referendum, the second to take place in more than 40 years, comes amid escalating signs of ethnic division and fears of civil strife. |
| “Irrespective of the result, we have to traverse what will be a difficult tomorrow with unity,” Pavlopoulos told reporters. “That is what our forefathers did. That is what we are going to do. We will go forward, all together.” | “Irrespective of the result, we have to traverse what will be a difficult tomorrow with unity,” Pavlopoulos told reporters. “That is what our forefathers did. That is what we are going to do. We will go forward, all together.” |
| Some 108,371 Greeks who have just turned 18 will vote for the first time, according to authorities. Of that number 55,206 are men and 53,165 women. Greek youth, very badly hit by unemployment, are expected in the main to vote no, pollsters say. | Some 108,371 Greeks who have just turned 18 will vote for the first time, according to authorities. Of that number 55,206 are men and 53,165 women. Greek youth, very badly hit by unemployment, are expected in the main to vote no, pollsters say. |
| Updated at 10.27am BST | Updated at 10.27am BST |
| 9.41am BST09:41 | 9.41am BST09:41 |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| About 10 million Greeks are going to the polls on Sunday, to vote in a referendum that poses the biggest challenge to the euro since its adoption in 1999. We will bring you the latest news and developments throughout the day. | About 10 million Greeks are going to the polls on Sunday, to vote in a referendum that poses the biggest challenge to the euro since its adoption in 1999. We will bring you the latest news and developments throughout the day. |
| Prime minister Alexis Tsipras has urged Greeks to vote ‘Ochi’ or ‘No’ on whether to accept the bailout package drawn up with creditors, in the hope of securing a better deal. | Prime minister Alexis Tsipras has urged Greeks to vote ‘Ochi’ or ‘No’ on whether to accept the bailout package drawn up with creditors, in the hope of securing a better deal. |
| "I am optimistic" PM Tsipras says after voting #Greece pic.twitter.com/SEV6uF4exi | "I am optimistic" PM Tsipras says after voting #Greece pic.twitter.com/SEV6uF4exi |