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Greek referendum: No campaign storms to victory with 61.31% of the vote - as it happened
Greek referendum: No campaign storms to victory with 61.31% of the vote - as it happened
(about 21 hours later)
1.12am BST
1.12am BST
01:12
01:12
That’s the end of our coverage of Greek Referendum Day.
That’s the end of our coverage of Greek Referendum Day.
But my colleague Helen Davidson is already up and running with a new liveblog, tracking how Asia’s financial markets react to the No landslide.
But my colleague Helen Davidson is already up and running with a new liveblog, tracking how Asia’s financial markets react to the No landslide.
She already has the latest views from Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at insurance giant Allianz, so don’t miss it:
She already has the latest views from Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser at insurance giant Allianz, so don’t miss it:
Related: Greek referendum: EU leaders call crisis meeting as bailout rejected - live
Related: Greek referendum: EU leaders call crisis meeting as bailout rejected - live
Thank you for reading and commenting, in such huge numbers. It’s been great to have you with us. Goodnight. GW
Thank you for reading and commenting, in such huge numbers. It’s been great to have you with us. Goodnight. GW
1.06am BST
1.06am BST
01:06
01:06
Late night summary
Late night summary
What a sensational day. Time for another recap.
What a sensational day. Time for another recap.
Greece has delivered a resounding No to its creditors, in a move that has stunned the eurozone tonight and may shake the financial markets.
Greece has delivered a resounding No to its creditors, in a move that has stunned the eurozone tonight and may shake the financial markets.
In the last few minutes, the last ballot papers were counted. And No campaign has exceeded all expectations by securing 61.31% of the vote [here’s the official count].
In the last few minutes, the last ballot papers were counted. And No campaign has exceeded all expectations by securing 61.31% of the vote [here’s the official count].
As our interactive shows, every area of Greece has voted to reject the proposals of Greece’s creditors and seek a better deal.
As our interactive shows, every area of Greece has voted to reject the proposals of Greece’s creditors and seek a better deal.
Related: Greek referendum: live results
Related: Greek referendum: live results
Prime minister Alexis Tsipras has declared that it’s a historic day for Greece, which shows that democracy cannot be blackmailed.
Prime minister Alexis Tsipras has declared that it’s a historic day for Greece, which shows that democracy cannot be blackmailed.
In a TV address, Tsipras has also vowed to begin negotiations with creditors to reach a sustainable deal to tackle Greece’s debt crisis.
In a TV address, Tsipras has also vowed to begin negotiations with creditors to reach a sustainable deal to tackle Greece’s debt crisis.
“You made a very brave choice.
“You made a very brave choice.
“The mandate you gave me is not the mandate of a rupture with Europe, but a mandate to strengthen our negotiating position to seek a viable solution.”
“The mandate you gave me is not the mandate of a rupture with Europe, but a mandate to strengthen our negotiating position to seek a viable solution.”
Tsipras will meet with other political leaders at 8am BST on Monday morning, as thousands of jubilant No campaigners head to bed after celebrating the result in Athens, and beyond.
Tsipras will meet with other political leaders at 8am BST on Monday morning, as thousands of jubilant No campaigners head to bed after celebrating the result in Athens, and beyond.
Greece’s future in the eurozone looks more perilous than ever, and the next 48 hours could be critical.
Greece’s future in the eurozone looks more perilous than ever, and the next 48 hours could be critical.
On Monday, the European Central Bank will meet to discuss the emergency liquidity provided to Greek banks (which is currently capped, forcing capital controls to be imposed a week ago).
On Monday, the European Central Bank will meet to discuss the emergency liquidity provided to Greek banks (which is currently capped, forcing capital controls to be imposed a week ago).
German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande will meet in Paris on Monday night.
German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande will meet in Paris on Monday night.
In the UK, prime minister David Cameron will meet with Chancellor George Osborne and governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney to discuss the impact on Britain’s financial stability.
In the UK, prime minister David Cameron will meet with Chancellor George Osborne and governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney to discuss the impact on Britain’s financial stability.
Then on Tuesday, eurozone leaders will debate the crisis at an emergency summit. Eurozone finance ministers will hold a Eurogroup meeting that afternoon.
Then on Tuesday, eurozone leaders will debate the crisis at an emergency summit. Eurozone finance ministers will hold a Eurogroup meeting that afternoon.
Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijssebloem has already criticised the result of the referendum, warning:
Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijssebloem has already criticised the result of the referendum, warning:
“I take note of the outcome of the Greek referendum. This result is very regrettable for the future of Greece.”
“I take note of the outcome of the Greek referendum. This result is very regrettable for the future of Greece.”
But democratic senator Bernie Sanders has hailed the result as a decisive vote against austerity.
But democratic senator Bernie Sanders has hailed the result as a decisive vote against austerity.
A series of financial analysts have warned tonight that Greece is likely to exit the eurozone. As Barclays warned:
A series of financial analysts have warned tonight that Greece is likely to exit the eurozone. As Barclays warned:
“While Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande are scheduled to meet tomorrow, we argue that EMU exit now is the most likely scenario….”
“While Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande are scheduled to meet tomorrow, we argue that EMU exit now is the most likely scenario….”
Finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, though, has denied this is an option:
Finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, though, has denied this is an option:
"Gr place in € is non-negotiable. Liquidity will return with agreement. Euro will not be left w parallel currencies" https://t.co/3pPYA5cY98
"Gr place in € is non-negotiable. Liquidity will return with agreement. Euro will not be left w parallel currencies" https://t.co/3pPYA5cY98
And the world’s stock markets are expected to suffer falls when trading begins.
And the world’s stock markets are expected to suffer falls when trading begins.
The FTSE 100 index of blue chip shares is tipped to drop by over 2%, and the euro has already lost around 1% against the US dollar, even before Asian trading gets fully underway.
The FTSE 100 index of blue chip shares is tipped to drop by over 2%, and the euro has already lost around 1% against the US dollar, even before Asian trading gets fully underway.
Updated
Updated
at 1.26am BST
at 1.26am BST
1.00am BST
1.00am BST
01:00
01:00
IT'S OFFICIAL: NO WINS BY A LANDSLIDE
IT'S OFFICIAL: NO WINS BY A LANDSLIDE
The last ballot paper has just been counted in Greece, and the No campaign have stormed to a dramatic victory.
The last ballot paper has just been counted in Greece, and the No campaign have stormed to a dramatic victory.
The final result is No: 61.31%, and Yes with 38.69%
The final result is No: 61.31%, and Yes with 38.69%
Final #Grefenderum results. No - 61.31% (3.558.450 votes) Yes - 38.69% (2.245.537 votes) 100% of votes, 62.50% voted, 5.80% invalid/blank.
Final #Grefenderum results. No - 61.31% (3.558.450 votes) Yes - 38.69% (2.245.537 votes) 100% of votes, 62.50% voted, 5.80% invalid/blank.
One for the history books:
One for the history books:
12.46am BST
12.46am BST
00:46
00:46
Police say about 100-150 anarchist protesters have started throwing firebombs at riot police and setting trash cans on fire in the central Athens neighborhood of Exarcheia, Associated Press reports:
Police say about 100-150 anarchist protesters have started throwing firebombs at riot police and setting trash cans on fire in the central Athens neighborhood of Exarcheia, Associated Press reports:
Updated
Updated
at 12.46am BST
at 12.46am BST
12.21am BST
12.21am BST
00:21
00:21
Updated
Updated
at 12.21am BST
at 12.21am BST
12.18am BST
12.18am BST
00:18
00:18
The Greek referendum has gripped Europe, and beyond today.
The Greek referendum has gripped Europe, and beyond today.
This map shows how Google users worldwide have been searching for information.
This map shows how Google users worldwide have been searching for information.
12.11am BST
12.11am BST
00:11
00:11
Here’s the Guardian front page story on Sunday’s referendum drama:
Here’s the Guardian front page story on Sunday’s referendum drama:
Monday's Guardian front page: Greek voters defy Europe #tomorrowspaperstoday #greekreferendum #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/7hoc4e1py3
Monday's Guardian front page: Greek voters defy Europe #tomorrowspaperstoday #greekreferendum #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/7hoc4e1py3
It begins:
It begins:
Greece delivered a landslide no vote to the eurozone’s terms for the country remaining in the single currency on Sunday night, unleashing a seismic political shift that could derail the European project. The verdict confronts the EU’s leadership with one of its most severe crises of confidence and leaves Greece facing potential financial collapse and exit from the euro.
Greece delivered a landslide no vote to the eurozone’s terms for the country remaining in the single currency on Sunday night, unleashing a seismic political shift that could derail the European project. The verdict confronts the EU’s leadership with one of its most severe crises of confidence and leaves Greece facing potential financial collapse and exit from the euro.
In a polarising referendum called by the radical leftist government of Alexis Tsipras at only eight days notice, Greeks voted by more than 60% to 40% in support of the prime minister, spurning the extra austerity demanded mainly by Germany and the International Monetary Fund in return for an extension of bailout funds.
In a polarising referendum called by the radical leftist government of Alexis Tsipras at only eight days notice, Greeks voted by more than 60% to 40% in support of the prime minister, spurning the extra austerity demanded mainly by Germany and the International Monetary Fund in return for an extension of bailout funds.
Tsipras said that Greece “has proved that democracy cannot be blackmailed; Greece has made a brave choice and one which will change the debate in Europe.
Tsipras said that Greece “has proved that democracy cannot be blackmailed; Greece has made a brave choice and one which will change the debate in Europe.
Live Greek referendum: Alexis Tsipras hails victory for No campaign - live updatesWith most votes counted, Greece has given a resounding No to the proposals from its creditorsRead more
Live Greek referendum: Alexis Tsipras hails victory for No campaign - live updatesWith most votes counted, Greece has given a resounding No to the proposals from its creditorsRead more
“I understand that votors have not given me a mandate against Europe, but a mandate for a sustainable future.” He warned, though, that there would be “no easy solutions”.
“I understand that votors have not given me a mandate against Europe, but a mandate for a sustainable future.” He warned, though, that there would be “no easy solutions”.
Five years of failed austerity policies in Greece and a total breakdown in trust between the leftwing Syriza alliance and the political leaders of its creditors climaxed in a national vote in which Greeks said no to the spending cuts and tax increases demanded by its lenders....
Five years of failed austerity policies in Greece and a total breakdown in trust between the leftwing Syriza alliance and the political leaders of its creditors climaxed in a national vote in which Greeks said no to the spending cuts and tax increases demanded by its lenders....
And here’s the full story:
And here’s the full story:
Related: Greek referendum no vote signals huge challenge to eurozone leaders
Related: Greek referendum no vote signals huge challenge to eurozone leaders
12.04am BST
12.04am BST
00:04
00:04
More photos from Athens....
More photos from Athens....
'No' supporters still celebrating #Greece pic.twitter.com/fJoX0BWDe1
'No' supporters still celebrating #Greece pic.twitter.com/fJoX0BWDe1
pic.twitter.com/Y0SzNqFzxv
pic.twitter.com/Y0SzNqFzxv
12.00am BST
12.00am BST
00:00
00:00
After a truly sensational day, the Athens capital is calming down as the clocks strike 2am....
After a truly sensational day, the Athens capital is calming down as the clocks strike 2am....
Many people gone from Syntagma by now, only 200-300 still here. Chatting, drinking beer, chilling. #Greferendum
Many people gone from Syntagma by now, only 200-300 still here. Chatting, drinking beer, chilling. #Greferendum
11.58pm BST
11.58pm BST
23:58
23:58
The meeting of Greek political leaders is scheduled for 10am Monday in Athens, or 8am UK time.
The meeting of Greek political leaders is scheduled for 10am Monday in Athens, or 8am UK time.
#Greece political leaders will meet with President Pavlopoulos on Mon at 10am (GR). #Greferendum #politics
#Greece political leaders will meet with President Pavlopoulos on Mon at 10am (GR). #Greferendum #politics
11.54pm BST
11.54pm BST
23:54
23:54
Monday’s meeting of Greek party political leaders may be dominated by a call for finance minister Yanis Varoufakis to be removed from the country’s negotiating team.
Monday’s meeting of Greek party political leaders may be dominated by a call for finance minister Yanis Varoufakis to be removed from the country’s negotiating team.
Our correspondent Helena Smith reports:
Our correspondent Helena Smith reports:
The head of the centrist Potami party, Stavros Theodorakis, has signalled he will ask for the academic-cum-politician’s immediate withdrawal from the team – citing irreconcilable differences with Greece’s creditors.
The head of the centrist Potami party, Stavros Theodorakis, has signalled he will ask for the academic-cum-politician’s immediate withdrawal from the team – citing irreconcilable differences with Greece’s creditors.
This is going to be a big ask. Tsipras is very close (some say enormously dependent) on his finance minister and has stood by him despite growing unease with Varoufakis’ tactics in his own Syriza party. Both men have been enormously vindicated by tonight’s result.
This is going to be a big ask. Tsipras is very close (some say enormously dependent) on his finance minister and has stood by him despite growing unease with Varoufakis’ tactics in his own Syriza party. Both men have been enormously vindicated by tonight’s result.
11.47pm BST
11.47pm BST
23:47
23:47
Greece dominates all the front pages
Greece dominates all the front pages
The historic Greek referendum is the splash on almost all the UK front pages on Monday, and across Europe too:
The historic Greek referendum is the splash on almost all the UK front pages on Monday, and across Europe too:
#greekreferendum dominates Monday's UK front pages #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers http://t.co/zGq460YehO pic.twitter.com/A1nNjywz8V
#greekreferendum dominates Monday's UK front pages #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers http://t.co/zGq460YehO pic.twitter.com/A1nNjywz8V
Monday's Libération front page: Non de Zeus Earthquake in Europe #tomorrowspaperstoday #greekreferendum pic.twitter.com/5IQ9sbsoCZ
Monday's Libération front page: Non de Zeus Earthquake in Europe #tomorrowspaperstoday #greekreferendum pic.twitter.com/5IQ9sbsoCZ
Le Figaro via @abrezet: NON - Greece makes a big step towards Euro exit #tomorrowspaperstoday #greekreferendum pic.twitter.com/5oVP1TDcZC
Le Figaro via @abrezet: NON - Greece makes a big step towards Euro exit #tomorrowspaperstoday #greekreferendum pic.twitter.com/5oVP1TDcZC
11.44pm BST
11.44pm BST
23:44
23:44
Only a final handful of votes are still to be counted in Greece.
Only a final handful of votes are still to be counted in Greece.
Around 96% of ballot papers have now been processed, with the No side bobbing around the 61.3% mark.
Around 96% of ballot papers have now been processed, with the No side bobbing around the 61.3% mark.
Updated
Updated
at 11.44pm BST
at 11.44pm BST
11.31pm BST
11.31pm BST
23:31
23:31
If you’re been watching the crisis closely, you’ll already know that Greece submitted a request for a third bailout last week, and said it would accept some of its creditors demands (but not all)
If you’re been watching the crisis closely, you’ll already know that Greece submitted a request for a third bailout last week, and said it would accept some of its creditors demands (but not all)
Newsnight’s Duncan Weldon suggests this could be the basis for a deal:
Newsnight’s Duncan Weldon suggests this could be the basis for a deal:
If Greece had cancelled the referendum & done the deal outlined in the Tspiras letter last Wednesday, it'd be seen as a creditor victory 1/2
If Greece had cancelled the referendum & done the deal outlined in the Tspiras letter last Wednesday, it'd be seen as a creditor victory 1/2
If *the exact same* deal was done this week, it'll look like a Greek win 2/2
If *the exact same* deal was done this week, it'll look like a Greek win 2/2
11.29pm BST
11.29pm BST
23:29
23:29
Our data editor, Alberto Nardelli, sums up the grim choice facing eurozone leaders at their emergency summit on Tuesday:
Our data editor, Alberto Nardelli, sums up the grim choice facing eurozone leaders at their emergency summit on Tuesday:
At the end of the day, EZ leaders have to choose between allowing Greece debt restructure (toxic at home) or Grexit
At the end of the day, EZ leaders have to choose between allowing Greece debt restructure (toxic at home) or Grexit
11.27pm BST
11.27pm BST
23:27
23:27
Alexis Tsipras has told Greece’s president, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, that the country needs ‘a strong national front’ (no, not that sort!) to negotiate a way out of its debt crisis.
Alexis Tsipras has told Greece’s president, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, that the country needs ‘a strong national front’ (no, not that sort!) to negotiate a way out of its debt crisis.
At tonight’s meeting, Tsipras told Pavlopoulos:
At tonight’s meeting, Tsipras told Pavlopoulos:
“We must move forward immediately with negotiations.... a strong national front must be created to seek an immediate solution.”
“We must move forward immediately with negotiations.... a strong national front must be created to seek an immediate solution.”
(via Reuters)
(via Reuters)
And Pavlopoulous told Tsipras that tonight’s vote does not mean Greece wants to leave the eurozone, local reporters say:
And Pavlopoulous told Tsipras that tonight’s vote does not mean Greece wants to leave the eurozone, local reporters say:
Greek Prez:Verdict means Greeks determined to bolster course within the EU. Greece was is and will remain an inalienable part of EU/eurozone
Greek Prez:Verdict means Greeks determined to bolster course within the EU. Greece was is and will remain an inalienable part of EU/eurozone
11.23pm BST
11.23pm BST
23:23
23:23
Tonight, we dance.....
Tonight, we dance.....
Go home Athens, you're drunk. pic.twitter.com/nnSbYeCzMb
Go home Athens, you're drunk. pic.twitter.com/nnSbYeCzMb
11.18pm BST
11.18pm BST
23:18
23:18
European Council president Donald Tusk has confirmed that eurozone leaders will meet on Tuesday night to discuss Greece.
European Council president Donald Tusk has confirmed that eurozone leaders will meet on Tuesday night to discuss Greece.
I have called a #EuroSummit Tuesday evening at 18h to discuss situation after referendum in #Greece
I have called a #EuroSummit Tuesday evening at 18h to discuss situation after referendum in #Greece
11.15pm BST
11.15pm BST
23:15
23:15
Eurogroup to meet on Tuesday
Eurogroup to meet on Tuesday
You can almost see Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the Eurogroup (euro finance ministers), shaking his head in dismay as he digests the news from Greece tonight.
You can almost see Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the Eurogroup (euro finance ministers), shaking his head in dismay as he digests the news from Greece tonight.
He has just issued a brief statement, in which he confirms that the Eurogroup will meet on Tuesday to prepare for the Eurozone leaders meeting on Tuesday (which Merkel and Hollande have already called)
He has just issued a brief statement, in which he confirms that the Eurogroup will meet on Tuesday to prepare for the Eurozone leaders meeting on Tuesday (which Merkel and Hollande have already called)
Dijsselbloem says:
Dijsselbloem says:
I take note of the outcome of the Greek referendum. This result is very regrettable for the future of Greece.
I take note of the outcome of the Greek referendum. This result is very regrettable for the future of Greece.
For recovery of the Greek economy, difficult measures and reforms are inevitable. We will now wait for the initiatives of the Greek authorities. The Eurogroup will discuss the state of play on Tuesday 7 July.
For recovery of the Greek economy, difficult measures and reforms are inevitable. We will now wait for the initiatives of the Greek authorities. The Eurogroup will discuss the state of play on Tuesday 7 July.
Statement of the #Eurogroup President following the referendum in #Greece: http://t.co/WxITIfwUth
Statement of the #Eurogroup President following the referendum in #Greece: http://t.co/WxITIfwUth
11.09pm BST
11.09pm BST
23:09
23:09
Greece is now in a race against time to reach a deal with creditors before its banking system collapses, say analysts at JP Morgan.
Greece is now in a race against time to reach a deal with creditors before its banking system collapses, say analysts at JP Morgan.
JPMorgan: After the “big no” it is now a race between 2 forces: political pressure 4 a deal, vs impact of banking dysfunction within #Greece
JPMorgan: After the “big no” it is now a race between 2 forces: political pressure 4 a deal, vs impact of banking dysfunction within #Greece
And here’s a handy chart from Barclays (as flagged earlier, they reckon Greece is now likely to leave the eurozone:)
And here’s a handy chart from Barclays (as flagged earlier, they reckon Greece is now likely to leave the eurozone:)
Who stands to lose from Grexit? German exposure at €29bn - total eurosystem tops €100bn (via Barclays) pic.twitter.com/bCXkgd2DwD
Who stands to lose from Grexit? German exposure at €29bn - total eurosystem tops €100bn (via Barclays) pic.twitter.com/bCXkgd2DwD
11.06pm BST
11.06pm BST
23:06
23:06
US senator Bernie Sanders has warmly welcomed the referendum result.
US senator Bernie Sanders has warmly welcomed the referendum result.
“I applaud the people of Greece for saying ‘no’ to more austerity for the the poor, the children, the sick and the elderly.”
“I applaud the people of Greece for saying ‘no’ to more austerity for the the poor, the children, the sick and the elderly.”
“In a world of massive wealth and income inequality Europe must support Greece’s efforts to build an economy which creates more jobs and income, not more unemployment and suffering.”
“In a world of massive wealth and income inequality Europe must support Greece’s efforts to build an economy which creates more jobs and income, not more unemployment and suffering.”
Sanders, who describes himself as a “democratic socialist”, is running for the Democratic nomination to succeed Barack Obama as president...
Sanders, who describes himself as a “democratic socialist”, is running for the Democratic nomination to succeed Barack Obama as president...
Related: As Bernie Sanders' popularity surges, Democrats question socialist label
Related: As Bernie Sanders' popularity surges, Democrats question socialist label
11.04pm BST
11.04pm BST
23:04
23:04
Unsurprisingly, the religious development organization Jubilee USA, has applauded tonight’s referendum verdict.
Unsurprisingly, the religious development organization Jubilee USA, has applauded tonight’s referendum verdict.
Eric LeCompte, executive director, says:
Eric LeCompte, executive director, says:
“Greeks watched a third of their population pushed under the poverty line because of austerity programs over the last 5 years. Today, Greeks voted for debt relief.
“Greeks watched a third of their population pushed under the poverty line because of austerity programs over the last 5 years. Today, Greeks voted for debt relief.
And the solution, as IMF reported last week, is debt relief and a long break before repayments kick in:
And the solution, as IMF reported last week, is debt relief and a long break before repayments kick in:
As LeCompte puts it:
As LeCompte puts it:
“Austerity in exchange for financing doesn’t work. It’s like treating an injured person with beatings. Unless we establish a global bankruptcy process for countries, we’ll continue to see more situations like Greece around the world.”
“Austerity in exchange for financing doesn’t work. It’s like treating an injured person with beatings. Unless we establish a global bankruptcy process for countries, we’ll continue to see more situations like Greece around the world.”
10.58pm BST
10.58pm BST
22:58
22:58
No supporters have also celebrated in front of the White Tower in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, tonight.
No supporters have also celebrated in front of the White Tower in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, tonight.
Updated
Updated
at 10.58pm BST
at 10.58pm BST
10.55pm BST
10.55pm BST
22:55
22:55
10.55pm BST
22:55
An overwhelmingly youthful crowd thronged Syntagma Square beneath the Greek parliament tonight, writes Daniel Howden.
Among the young revellers were Eleni Konstantinou and her husband Nikos Neoudakis. She has been supporting a family of three on her salary as a secondary school teacher and said the”no” vote was the proudest day of my life.”
“We’ve fought for the left for so many years. Fought the corruption.”
As repeated chants of “no” rang through the square Konstantinou said she expected a better deal on the other side of the referendum landslide.
“I have total faith in Alexis Tsipras, he won’t let us down.”
She said that the demonstrations around Europe in support of the “no” vote had been deeply moving.
“That is solidarity,” she said. “That is Europe.”
10.52pm BST
22:52
10.50pm BST
22:50
A familiar scene in Greece tonight, as queues form at the cash machines:
Queues forming at cash machines here in Athens, fears banks could run dry by tomorrow #GrReferendum pic.twitter.com/CvobPlu2TB
10.49pm BST
22:49
The CBI, which represents British businesses, has issued a statement on Greece:
CBI Director-General John Cridland says:
“While the UK economy’s direct exposure to Greece is minimal, we are not immune to wider Eurozone risks. We must now encourage all leaders, particularly those of the Troika, to act decisively to agree a deal, providing certainty for Greece and the wider Eurozone.
“Europe’s policymakers should not hesitate to use every tool at their disposal to preserve growth and stability throughout the Eurozone.”
(they’re not called the Troika any more, John! It’s the ‘Institutions’)
Updated
at 10.50pm BST
10.40pm BST
22:40
Deutsche Bank: Big win for Tsipras, but....
Jill Treanor
George Saravelos, analyst at Deutsche Bank, was quick out of the blocks with his views on the no vote.
He says the Bank of Greece is currently holding a conference call with the Greek banks to establish how much cash they have left. The focus is on the European Central Bank and what it will do about the €89bn of emergency liquidity assistance it has been using to keep Greek banks afloat.
“Over the next few hours, both sides’ willingness to re-start negotiations and under what conditions remains the most important next step. Beyond that, it is the increasing pressure on the Greek economy and people via a frozen banking system and capital controls that will drive the speed of developments.
Decisions have to be taken soon on whether to return to the path of negotiations or consider the alternative of a Eurozone exit”.
He sees three immediate issues:
“First, the vote marks a big political victory for PM Tsipras. Today’s vote will allow the PM to maintain the political initiative within Greece, re-enforcing his leadership within the party as well as the government. It will be perceived by the government as a strong backing around its tough negotiating strategy.
Second, the poll masks a deeply divided electoral body. The win to the “no” vote was decisive. But opinion polls over the last few days have continued to show an overwhelming support for euro membership. How this can be reconciled with the “no” vote and rising economic costs remains to be seen in coming days. Either way, the referendum process itself and the outcome has increased polarization in Greece. Political tension both within parliament and in potential political demonstrations will be ongoing and unpredictable.
Third, the referendum result now requires Europe to more formally adopt a position on Greece, particularly given the size of the “no”. The European message on whether rejection is equivalent to Eurozone exit has not been consistent, with both Merkel and Schauble in particular not adopting this interpretation. A more clear reaction from Eurozone members should now be expected.”
10.34pm BST
22:34
Jill Treanor
Barclays analysts have issued a research note, warning that Greece is likely to leave the euro.
They write:
“While Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande are scheduled to meet tomorrow, we argue that EMU exit now is the most likely scenario….”
Barclays: "The now high probability of Greece leaving the EMU is unambiguously negative for the Euro in the near term." You're telling me
The Barclays team also expect the ECB to pull that much needed emergency liquidity funding before July 20. when Greece faces a major debt repayment.”
“The ECB Governing Council will meet on Monday to decide on ELA. We would expect ECB’s GC to shut down ELA at the latest by 20 July.
Assuming that all of the pledged collateral at the ECB is recorded at (close to) par on Greek banks’ balance sheets and that current average haircut on collateral is 50%, then retention of the collateral by the Eurosystem would translate into a more than €30bn loss for the banks.
This alone would wipe out shareholders’ equity. The Greek central bank will eventually need to print its own currency in order to inject new liquidity and capital”.
10.26pm BST
22:26
The European Commission has issued a statement, saying it “takes note of and respects the result of the referendum in Greece”.
It also reveals that Jean-Claude Juncker is now speaking with all eurozone leaders, and other key figures in Europe.
President Juncker is consulting tonight and tomorrow with the democratically elected leaders of the other 18 Eurozone members as well as with the Heads of the EU institutions.
He will have a conference call among the “Euro-Institutionals” (with the President of the Euro Summit, the President of the Euro Group and the President of the European Central Bank) on Monday morning.
He intends to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
#greece the european commission respects... http://t.co/WMUolUYjmc
10.21pm BST
22:21
Alexis Tsipras’s team have tweeted the key points from his speech, in English:
Today's #referendum doesn't have winners or losers. It is a great victory, in and of itself. #Greece #Greferendum
Even in the most difficult circumstances, #democracy can't be blackmailed—it is a dominant value and the way forward. #Greece #Greferendum
I want to thank each and every one of you. Regardless of how you voted, tonight we are all one. #Greece #Greferendum
The mandate you've given me does not call for a break with Europe, but rather gives me greater negotiating strength. #Greece #Greferendum
The Greek people made a historic and brave choice. Their response will alter the existing dialogue in Europe. #Greece #Greferendum
The Greek ppl responded to real question at hand: What kind of Europe do we want? The answer: A Europe of solidarity & #democracy. #Greece
Our immediate priority is to restore our banking system's functioning & economic stability. #Greece
The issue of our debt will now be on the negotiating table, in light of the IMF's recent report on its sustainability. #Greece
Right now, our country needs to stand united, to show real understanding in order to overcome the challenges. #Greece
I will meet with the President shortly, and will ask him to convene a meeting of the political leaders tomorrow morning. #Greece
Today we celebrate the victory of #democracy. Tomorrow, we will all continue our national effort to reach an agreement. #Greece
We will go forward with the faith of our people in our efforts, and with #democracy & justice on our side. #Greece
10.08pm BST
22:08
News coming in that Alexis Tsipras, the Greek prime minister, will meet with the country’s head of state, president Prokopis Pavlopoulos in the next half hour, reports Helena Smith.
He will ask the president to convene an emergency meeting of party leaders tomorrow Monday ahead of a EU summit meeting Greek insiders are confirming will take place Tuesday.
Speculation is rife tonight that the leftist-led government may buttress the Greek negotiating team with members of the political opposition who creditors may find more palatable to deal with in the days ahead.
“But the big question is, he will go [to Brussels] with what plan?” asked Anna Diamantopoulos a former EU commissioner.
“Nobody knows what plan he has.”
9.58pm BST
21:58
My colleague Helena Smith watched Alexis Tsipras speak, and reports:
Alexis Tsipras, the Greek prime minister greeted the result telling the nation in a televised address that that the Greek people had made a very “bold choice”.
“Greek people today gave an answer to [the question of] what Europe we want? And what we want is a Europe of solidarity,” he said adding that he would relaunch negotiations with creditors immediately.
“I want to thank each and every one of you .... I want also to thank the thousands of European citizens who have shown practicably what solidarity means.”
That’s a reference to the thousands who have demonstrated in support of Greece abroad.
Tsipras added:
“We all know that easy solutions don’t exist but just solutions exist”
“Today we are celebrating the victory of democracy, tomorrow the hard work begins,” he said, revealing that he would ask the president of the republic to convene a meeting of the country’s entire political leadership so that he could hear their views about how best to negotiate the country’s way of the crisis.
And here’s some instant reaction:
Key #Tsipras points: 1) Wants talks straight away 2) Wants debt relief on table 3) Will confer with all opposition leaders #Greece #euro
Tsipras: Greeks didn’t respond to euro/not euro question: result not mandate for rupture with €; will seek to negotiate debt restructuring
Updated
at 9.59pm BST
9.48pm BST
21:48
Tsipras: Now, we return to negotiations
Negotiations between Athens and its creditors will start tomorrow, insists a serious-looking Tsipras.
We are ready to continue negotiating with a reform plan, and the goal of restoring our banking system to normality quickly.
Tsipras also declared that Greece will insist on debt restructuring being on the table at those talks.
I have asked the Greek president to convene the party leaders meeting tomorrow for a briefing, but also hear their views, he adds.
#Tsipras says he will call meeting of political leaders to discuss govt initiatives and hear their own proposals
Journos watching Tsipras speak at #Zappeion press centre #PulsGrecji pic.twitter.com/ZkpNPjRPCt
9.46pm BST
21:46
Greek PM Tsipras says tonight's result is not a mandate for rupture with Europe, but one for a strengthened negotiating position for Greece
9.45pm BST
21:45
Today’s vote does not mean Greece is heading out of the eurozone, says Tsipras.
The Greek people did not answer a question on Europe, he insists - we must take that question ‘off the table completely’.
(last week, several European leaders warned that a No vote would mean Greece was voting to leave the eurozone, although there has been some rowing back since)
9.40pm BST
21:40
Tsipras: We have proved democracy cannot be blackmailed
Greece’s prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, is addressing the nation now.
Today, he says, Greece has proved that democracy cannot be blackmailed; Greeks have made a brave choice, and one which will change the debate in Europe.
I understand that voters have not given me a mandate against Europe, but a mandate for a sustainable solution.
And he warns that there are no easy solutions -- but a fair solution can be found, if both sides want it.
Tsipras speaks to the nation pic.twitter.com/OTdKXCWzLZ
Updated
at 10.10pm BST
9.37pm BST
21:37
Slovakia’s finance minister has warned that Grexit is now a realistic scenario.
I'm disappointed with what now seems to be the final result of the referendum in #Greece
We will not go gently into this good night. We stand united and we need to respond to this situation as soon as possible
Rejection of reforms by #Greece cannot mean that they will get the money easier
The nightmare of the 'euro-architects' that a country could leave the club seems like a realistic scenario after #Greece voted No today
9.36pm BST
21:36
Merkel and Hollande want emergency summit on Tuesday
Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande have spoken on the phone tonight, and agreed that a eurozone leaders’ summit should be held on Tuesday.
That’s according to the German government spokesman, who said the chancellor and president also agreed that the referendum result should be respected (via Reuters)
9.28pm BST
21:28
Evening summary: Greece gives creditors the big No
A quick recap:
Greece has delivered a dramatic, unexpected and sensational rejection of the terms demanded by its creditors in return for aid, putting itself closer to leaving the euro.
With more than three quarters of votes counted, around 62% of Greeks have voted No, or Oxi – stunning the eurozone, and opening up another chapter in this long crisis.
Thousands of No supporters have hit the streets of Athens tonight to celebrate:
It is now 9 in UK so I can tweet this. Who are they telling? pic.twitter.com/maIXHyWSZB
Finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has praised Greeks for the ‘brave decision’ to reject the bailout package proposed by lenders, calling it a “big yes for democratic Europe’.
And labour minister Panos Skourletis has said Greece now has a very strong card to use to negotiate a better deal.
But the news has already been badly received in Germany. Vice-chancellor and social democratic leader, Sigmar Gabriel has warned it is hard to see how Greece can now negotiate a third bailout.
German chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet with French president Francois Hollande tonight to discuss the situation.
Sense of urgency over Greece. Merkel and Hollande are likely to propose a special eurozone summit on Tuesday. #Grefenderum
Antonis Samaras, the head of the New Democracy party who campaigned for a Yes vote, has fallen on his sword.
But beyond the euphoria, Greece still faces a desperately difficult situation after a week of capital controls, which left its banks closed and running very short of cash.
The Greek government is expected to meet tonight with its central bank, and the main commercial banks, to discuss the liquidity situation.
The Bank of Greece is expected to ask the European Central Bank for more liquidity; analysts have already predicted this request will be rejected.
One economist has predicted that there is a 75% chance that Greece will now leave the eurozone.
Europe’s financial markets are expected to fall sharply on Monday, with the FTSE 100 tipped to fall by around 2%. The euro has already fallen by 1% in early trading.
9.27pm BST
21:27
It appears that the No campaign have crossed the line, and cannot now be caught.
That's it - 'no' vote cannot be caught #Greece 61.56 * 0.8154 = 50.19% pic.twitter.com/kQExq4Pobl
9.14pm BST
21:14
Antonis Samaras, the head of the opposition right-wing New Democracy party, has just resigned - bringing more cheer to the No campaigners.
*GREEK OPPOSITION LEADER ANTONIS SAMARAS ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION
Former conservative PM Antonis Samaras resigns from leadership of New Democracy, #Greece's main opposition party. Ppl in syntagma cheer
As Helena Smith reported earlier, Samaras was facing calls to resign once the scale of the Yes campaign’s failure became clear.
Updated
at 9.14pm BST
9.01pm BST
21:01
9.00pm BST
21:00
The vote counters are heading into the final stretch:
With 70% of #Grefenderum votes counted: No: 61.5% Yes: 38.5% Voted: 61.2% #Greece #euro
Updated
at 9.01pm BST
8.58pm BST
20:58
8.57pm BST
20:57
European stock markets and the euro are both expected to suffer substantial falls following today’s referendum:
IG Special Sunday Futures trading suggests FTSE100 to open -2% tomorrow at 6460 in light of Greek exit polls and likely No/Oxi vote
I can only see one certainty tomorrow. Euro will get closer to Parity vs US dollar fast.No matter what's outcome EU/ECB decisions on Greece
8.52pm BST
20:52
Over in Berlin, politicians are watching events unfold in Athens and wondering where the eurozone goes next.
German economy minister Sigmar Gabriel told the Tagesspiegel newspaper that this no vote makes it hard to imagine talks on a new bailout programme with Greece.
And he accused Alexis Tsipras of having “torn down the last bridges” which could have led to a compromise:
I’ve taken the quotes from Reuters:
“With the rejection of the rules of the euro zone ...negotiations about a programme worth billions are barely conceivable,....
Tsipras and his government are leading the Greek people on a path of bitter abandonment and hopelessness.”
8.49pm BST
20:49
Two thirds of the ballot papers have now been counted, and the No campaign is still holding firm with over 61% of votes.
Reminder, you can track the count here.
8.44pm BST
20:44
On the other side of the world, the financial markets are waking up to the news from Greece.
The euro has promptly tumbled by 1%, falling from $1.111 to $1.099 against the US dollar.
8.42pm BST
20:42
Finance Minister @YanisVaroufakis: Greeks have said 'No' to five years of hypocrisy http://t.co/PwxKCzwY5l
8.40pm BST
20:40
Aggressive statement by Varoufakis: For 5 months creditors refused substantial negotiations, imposed closed banks, planned our humiliation
8.39pm BST
20:39
Varoufakis: It's a big yes to democratic Europe
Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister, has just giving a statement to the media in Athens.
He says that the Greek people have given a clear message - no to more cuts, yes to real reforms.
Starting tomorrow, we will call on partners to find common ground, Varoufakis says, adding:
Today’s no is a big yes to a democratic Europe, and it strengthens the protection that Greece offers its people.
(that’s via the BBC’s translator)
varoufakis says tomorrow that with this no as tool we will extend a hand of cooperation, we will call them one by one to find common ground
varoufakis: from tomorrow, europe, whose heart tonight beats in greece, starts healing its wounds.
Varoufakis speaking and taking casual attire to th next level pic.twitter.com/sVHATO1A6p
8.30pm BST
20:30
More and more people are pouring into Syntagma Square to celebrate.
8.19pm BST
20:19
Larry Elliott: It's time to give Greece some carrot
Greece’s future in the eurozone hangs by a ‘gossamer thread’ tonight, writes our economics editor Larry Elliott.
The ECB could snip that thread tomorrow, by cutting emergency liquidity. But Greece’s lenders are more likely to play a long game...
Here’s a flavour of Larry’s analysis:
The temptation for the creditors could be to let the Greeks sweat a bit, to see if a couple of weeks of a cashless economy can do what the referendum could not: effect regime change. Tsipras would be under pressure to resign and call fresh elections if the economic news worsens, and that might result in the election of a government more amenable to the rest of Europe.
But playing it long is risky. Greece might be forced out of the euro before Tsipras gets round to resigning, so desperate is its economic plight.
What the creditors should do is to respect the result of the referendum, realise that they have to give Greece something in order to prevent the crisis escalating out of control, and recognise that debt relief must be an explicit part of a funding package that will see the eurozone’s weakest member through the next couple of years. Put simply, they should try a bit less stick and a bit more carrot....
Related: Greece's vote edges it towards euro exit, but the odyssey is far from over
8.12pm BST
20:12
The No celebrations are getting underway in earnest in Athens:
8.10pm BST
20:10
Tsipras hits the phone
Helena Smith
Greek television are reporting that Alexis Tsipras has spoken with several European leaders, starting with the French president Francois Hollande.
There are also suggestions that ECB president Mario Draghi has also been contacted.
8.09pm BST
20:09
Chants are ringing out across Syntagma Square as No campaigners celebrate their success.
There is optimism that Greece can now, finally, achieve a decisive breakthrough with its creditors, reports Matina Stevis of the Wall Street Journal.
What I'm getting from people who voted "no" is that they overwhelmingly believe Tsipras & his promise of a new negotiation starting tomorrow
This is the second time in five months that Alexis Tsipras has secured a stunning victory at the ballot box, on the promise of a better future and a break from the past. Despite the struggles since January, his supporters believe he can achieve it.
8.06pm BST
20:06
The referendum results have also been hailed by the opposite end of the political spectrum; France’s anti-immigrant, eurosceptic National Front.
Their leader, Marine Le Pen, says:
“This ‘No’ from the Greek people must pave the way for a healthy new approach,”
“European countries should take advantage of this event together around the negotiating table, take stock of the failure of the euro and austerity, and organise the dissolution of the single currency system, which is needed to get back to real growth, employment and debt reduction.”
(thanks to Reuters for the quotes)
7.58pm BST
19:58
The Green party has hailed tonight’s referendum as a decisive vote against austerity:
Caroline Lucas MP, who represents the British south coast constituency of Brighton Pavilion, says the eurozone must now accept that Greece needs debt relief:
“The Greek people have made a decision which must now be respected. This referendum has seen EU states do their very best to undermine the democratic will of the Greek people but it’s time to draw a line under the past and move onwards.
“History shows us that countries can escape crippling debt in a just way. In 1953, at London Conference, Greece was among the European nations signing a deal which allowed for the cancellation of German debt, to enable the country to grow again after the destruction of the Second World War. Europe needs to come together to offer the Greeks a deal which allows their country to be rebuilt.”
Updated
at 8.22pm BST
7.57pm BST
19:57
One important element of tonight’s voting is that young people have voted in their droves in favour of no, by around 2 to 1.
Greece’s youth have suffered particularly badly from the last five years, with youth unemployment at record levels.
But a majority of older voters backed the yes side, with their savings and pensions on the line.
Ι've been tweeting these past few days on the generational divide in the #Greferendum. Younger voters: 67% No Elder: 37% No
Updated
at 7.57pm BST
7.52pm BST
19:52
Half the ballot papers have now been counted, and no is still holding firm with 61% of votes.
Updated
at 7.57pm BST
7.48pm BST
19:48
The heads of Germany’s savings bank association has told Reuters that Greece should now leave the eurozone.
And the head of the German exporters association told Reuters he can’t see how Greece stays in the single currency now.
7.45pm BST
19:45
Greek minister: We have a very strong card now
Helena Smith
Greece’s labour minister, Panos Skourletis, has reacted to the results, and hailed the outcome as a very good thing for democracy.
“The goverment can go now with a very strong card to continue negotiations [with creditors],” he told reporters outside the prime minister’s office.
Greece’s veteran commentator Pavlos Tzimas has just told SKAI TV that it is vital that an agreement is reached by 20 July, when Greece must meet a €3bn debt repayment to the European Central Bank.
But it is practically impossible to have an agreement in less than two weeks as [whatever is agreed] would need to be ratified by parliaments.
Updated
at 8.07pm BST
7.44pm BST
19:44
Kathleen Brooks, of Forex.com, also fears for Greece’s banking sector.
She writes:
A win for the no camp also makes negotiations with Greece’s creditors substantially harder, and thus, it cannot be assumed that Greece will get any more money from the EU, ECB or IMF.
· This makes further defaults, including on some large sums owed to the ECB later this month, even more likely.
· Overall, those who thought the chances of Grexit were at 60% last week must now be revising them up to 80%.
Brooks believes that the ECB could take the decision to cut emergency liquidity support this week, meaning the Greek financial system “could collapse in a matter of days”.
Without a functioning banking system, and with no decent alternative coming from the Syriza government, we expect Greece to fall into a deep recession for many years.
Updated
at 7.51pm BST
7.38pm BST
19:38
Financial analysts are starting to react to the Greek referendum results.
Wolf Piccoli, of Teneo Intelligence, reckons that there is now a 75% chance that Greece will eventually leave the eurozone.
He believes the European Central Bank will not raise the cap on emergency liquidity, even though Greek banks are desperately short of cash.
This will further raise doubts over whether all of Greece’s big commercial banks will be able to survive the coming week; their remaining liquidity buffers are likely to last until Tuesday, at best. Within the ECB, there may even be a push to consider a further increase in the haircut on the collateral accepted in return for ELA access, although Monday may be too early for such a move given that the further course of negotiations is still unclear.
Piccoli also predicts that Greece’s creditors will maintain a hard line:
Once Athens and its lenders resume talks, Tsipras is likely to point to the IMF’s recent debt sustainability analysis [which has effectively once more made the case for debt relief] and tonight’s no vote. But calls to respect the democratic will of the Greek people and offer a better deal will likely be answered by reference to the – in substance very different – democratic will in creditor countries.
Instead, the lenders will likely argue that given the by now worsened economic situation, further efforts will be required to get the country back on track. This may translate into further cuts and/or additional revenue-raising measures to meet primary surplus targets.
And there is even the possibility that Greece’s president, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, resigns to trigger early elections in an attempt to prevent Greece sliding out of the eurozone.
Updated
at 7.49pm BST
7.31pm BST
19:31
Eurozone finance ministers are not planning on an emergency meeting tomorrow.
One official has told Reuters:
No way. [The ministers] would not know what to discuss.
Updated
at 7.36pm BST
7.20pm BST
19:20
Photos: No supporters celebrate
Supporters of the no campaign are starting to celebrate in Athens, with almost 40% of votes counted:
No camp supporters are also gathering in Syntagma Square, site of the Greek parliament.
Just moved on to Syntagma itself where a carnival atmosphere is building up. Not a 'yes' in sight. pic.twitter.com/dSte9jmW95
Updated
at 7.35pm BST
7.16pm BST
19:16
More than 35% of the ballot papers have now been counted, and no is still firmly ahead with 61% of the votes. The landslide is still on course.
7.11pm BST
19:11
Helena Smith
Heads may soon be rolling in the opposition camp.
Demands are growing for Antonis Samaras, the main opposition leader and former prime minister to step down as head of the centre-right New Democracy party following the apparent victory of the no vote, reports Helena Smith.
The former finance minister Dora Bakoyannis has called Samaras demanding that he step down with immediate effect, several media outlets are reporting.
There are signs that some traditional New Democracy party supporters deliberately voted no (when the party had urged Greeks to vote yes) out of protest against Samaras, who has refused to resign.
Updated
at 7.32pm BST
7.04pm BST
19:04
Official projection: no side to win with 61%
Greece’s interior ministry has released an official projection, showing that the no side is set to win by 61%.
That is a landslide result for the government, which had urged people to reject the bailout proposals made by lenders.
Updated
at 7.05pm BST
6.58pm BST
18:58
Investors simply didn’t expect such a decisive win by the no side, so there could be dramatic moves in tomorrow’s financial markets.
Government bond trader Gus Baratta predicts a lively start to trading:
Landslide OXI is no exit from Euro yet, but was discounted as tail risk. Rough market open ahead.
6.53pm BST
18:53
Helena Smith
In Athens, one of Greece’s negotiators, Euclid Tsakalotos, is predicting that the government will be able to reach an agreement with creditors very quickly.
Helena Smith is hearing that a mini-cabinet meeting may well be held later tonight – amid talk that a new negotiating team may be assembled by the leftist-led government.
Asked why he believed the government could cut a deal with creditors so soon – when for the past five months talks have been deadlocked – Tsakalotos told STAR TV:
The first thing is that the IMF report [released last week] proves that the debt [load] is not viable and secondly that there is a new popular mandate as it would seem from the apparent result of the referendum.
Updated
at 7.04pm BST
6.52pm BST
18:52
The London stock market is expected to fall sharply tomorrow morning, as investors brace for further turbulence in the eurozone.
IG's Sunday FTSE100 trading at 6464, 120 points lower than Friday's close. #FTSE
6.42pm BST
18:42
No vote still ahead, with 20% counted
Twenty percent of the votes have now been counted, and the no side is holding on to a solid lead – with more than 60%, against less than 40% for the yes side.
Updated
at 6.48pm BST
6.30pm BST
18:30
Greece is on track to give a “Big No”:
15% counted and 60-40 to no.
6.29pm BST
18:29
No campaign takes 60% of early votes
Our live results service shows that about 60% of the early votes counted have gone to the no side (ie, to reject the terms from Greece’s creditors):
You can track it all here: Live results: Greek referendum
Breaking: almost 10% of votes have been counted so far, and no has a solid lead.
#Greferendum: first official results at 7.4% of voters, "NO" leads with 59% to "YES" at 40% #Greece pic.twitter.com/KzdA6DwKbw
EARLY DAYS, but a 60:40 No/Yes split so far pic.twitter.com/1vhMBldgji
Updated
at 6.49pm BST
6.14pm BST
18:14
Nikos Voutsis, Greece’s interior minister and a close ally of Alexis Tsipras, has just spoken to the media.
He says that participation rate is over 50%, meaning the referendum is legally valid (the threshold is 40%). Feedback from the public shows that the public are satisfied with the way the referendum was held.
And Voutsis says that we should get a good official indication of the result by 9pm local time, or 7pm BST. Not long to wait....
Interior Minister Voutsis says hacker attacks against referendum thwarted #Greece pic.twitter.com/hO5jikyAeJ
6.08pm BST
18:08
Reuters is reporting that the Bank of Greece will ask the European Central Bank for more emergency liquidity assistance for its banks.
6.02pm BST
18:02
Across Greece, people are settling down to await tonight’s results.
Our Southern Europe editor John Hooper has secured a plum spot in a cafe near the Athens parliament, and is tweeting away:
Athenians watching referendum exit poll results in a cafe near Syntagma square pic.twitter.com/ltPtimQXnW
It's starting to feel like a remake of 300: Spartans v Persians but with Angela Merkel as Xerxes.
Updated
at 6.49pm BST
5.58pm BST
17:58
Angelique Chrisafis
In Thessaloniki, Greece’s northern second city, as the referendum neared its close, voters were still steadily streaming into a primary school polling station in the centre, reports Angelique Chrisafis.
The mood was calm. Any cashpoint queues in the surrounding streets were no longer than three or four people.
Some voters said their minds had been made up from the start, but others said they had struggled to decide how to vote and had felt the pressure of bank closures, capital controls and media campaigns about doomsday scenarios.
Some said the bank controls had made them lean towards a yes vote to try to restore some kind of normality, others said bank controls had tipped them to vote no to express their anger.
Penny Chorafa, 38, runs an architectural practice with her husband and has seen business plummet during the five years of the Greek debt crisis as construction projects stalled. She had made her mind up to vote no from the start.
She said she absolutely wanted Greece to stay in Europe and the eurozone and to her, these were not the core issues of the vote. Instead, she believed voting no was about protesting against austerity and refusing a bad deal from Greece’s creditors.
I voted no to make a statement to the powers-that-be that citizens’ lives have to be taken into account. It’s time for all the European countries to do something about these economic lobbies that dominate.
Chorafa said if the yes vote won, she would be so disappointed she would think about leaving Greece with her two small children and moving abroad.
Antonis Vakalis, 45, who runs two private schools in the city, voted yes. He thought the referendum question was muddled, ridiculous and now out of date:
But I voted yes to say I’m for the euro and for the unity of European countries.
He said his vote didn’t mean that he was in favour of austerity. But amid all the confusion surrounding what the question and the referendum itself meant, he felt it was crucial to register his stance in favour of “Greece’s rightful place inside the European Union”.
Updated
at 6.54pm BST
5.53pm BST
17:53
First official polls are expected to be released by Greece’s ministry of interior at 9.30pm time (7.30pm BST), Helena Smith reports.
“What we are seeing now are indications,” she adds.
And here’s a reminder of the four opinion polls (not exit polls!) released by the Greek TV stations as the polls shut:
Updated
at 6.57pm BST
5.44pm BST
17:44
Government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis has warned that Athens needs to reach a deal fast:
Gov't spokesman #Sakellaridis on Greek TV: Negotiations.. must be concluded very soon, even after 48 hours #Greece #referendum
Without a deal, it’s hard to see how the European Central Bank can pump more liquidity into the Greek banking sector to allow them to reopen....
5.42pm BST
17:42
Greece’s finance minister has criticised the media over the way his comments to CNBC today have been reported:
"In 24h we COULD have an agreement", I said. But our toxic media rushed to report that I predicted an agreement within 24h. Go figure!
Getting a deal in 24 hours is going to be tricky, I’d suggest, as the leaders of France and Germany are holding their own meeting in Paris tomorrow night....
Updated
at 5.55pm BST
5.39pm BST
17:39
The French government has confirmed that Angela Merkel will visit Paris tomorrow night to discuss the Greek referendum:
#Greece: @fhollande and A.#Merkel will meet tomorrow evening at the @Elysee to assess consequences of the referendum. pic.twitter.com/ElvZzdKIQN
5.34pm BST
17:34
Alexis Tsipras has arrived back at his residence in Athens, according to the Kathimerini newspaper:
Greek PM #Tsipras has arrived at Maximos Mansion #Greece
5.31pm BST
17:31
Merkel to meet Hollande on Monday
European leaders are scrambling to keep up with the latest drama in Greece.
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, will travel to Paris on Monday afternoon to discuss the result of the Greek referendum with the French president François Hollande, a German government spokesman said on Sunday.
Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said:
The talks with the French president from 6.30pm, and over dinner, will be about a common assessment of the situation after the Greek referendum and the continuation of the close German-French cooperation on this subject.
(via AFP)
That’s 5.30pm BST, or 7.30pm in Greece.
Updated
at 7.00pm BST
5.26pm BST
17:26
Greek negotiators have 'packed their bags' ready to return to Brussels
Helena Smith
Sources in Syriza are saying that top government officials, including state minister and chief negotiator Nikos Pappas, the Greek prime minister’s closest political ally, have “packed their bags and are ready to return to Brussels” to relaunch negotiations, Helena Smith reports.
Helena has been hearing that ever more ATMs have run out of cash with banks unable to replenish them.
One source said:
The situation with banks is critical and must be addressed ASAP.
Updated
at 7.04pm BST
5.24pm BST
17:24
These opinion polls give the governing radical left Syriza party cause for “restrained optimism” that OXI (no) is going to triumph if only marginally, says our correspondent Helena Smith in Athens.
But, at the risk of banging on, we need to wait for official news from tonight’s counts before we know for sure.
Updated
at 5.27pm BST
5.22pm BST
17:22
Here’s what government spokesman Nikos Filis told Greek television as the opinion polls were released:
I think this is guidance for the government… to move forward quickly to seek a deal and normalise the banking system.
(via Reuters)
Updated
at 7.01pm BST
5.19pm BST
17:19
A spokesman for the Syriza party has told Reuters that these opinion polls suggest the government can now “move forward quickly” and seal a deal with its creditors (as Yanis Varoufakis predicted earlier today).
#Greece #Grefenderum #Oxi All today's secret polls predict a "No". However, experts say the result is still uncertain pic.twitter.com/RGJUDcwzdv
Updated
at 5.20pm BST
5.17pm BST
17:17
These opinion polls also show that Greece has been split almost down the middle by this referendum, points out journalist Nick Malkoutzis:
"No" ahead in opinion polls but lead slim & margin of error wide. Wait for official results. Only certainty is Greek society divided #Greece
5.14pm BST
17:14
And here’s another of the opinion polls suggesting that Greece has voted no today.
GPO poll for @MegaGegonota Yes 48.5% No 51.5% outcome range Yes 46.5-50.5% No 49.5-53.5% #Greferendum #Greece
But please do remember that ballot papers are only now being counted -- we may have to wait a couple of hours for a firm indication.
Updated
at 5.44pm BST
5.10pm BST
17:10
All six major Greek TV stations are predicting a victory for the No campaign, says Sky News.
5.07pm BST
17:07
Another poll from Skai TV has No on 51.5% and Yes on 48.5% a GDO-Mega poll pic.twitter.com/gtAOF3au3L
5.04pm BST
17:04
Opinion Polls put no in the lead.
A flurry of opinion polls conducted by Greek TV stations are hitting the wires, and they are all putting the no side ahead of the Yes side:
We need to be cautious - these are not full exit polls.
But it’s important to note that they are ALL suggesting that the people have voted to reject the bailout conditions demanded by Greece’s creditors:
GREEK REFERENDUM OPINION POLL BY METRON ANALYSIS SHOWS 'YES' VOTE 46 PCT, 'NO' VOTE 49 PCT
Alpha TV predicts No 49-54%, Yes 45-50% in #Greece referendum. Regular poll taken today, NOT an exit poll.
Updated
at 5.45pm BST
5.01pm BST
17:01
Follow the results here
We’ll be tracking all tonight’s results from Greece in this interactive:
Related: Live results: Greek referendum
5.00pm BST
17:00
Afternoon summary: Polls close, now for the result......
TAKE YOUR SEATS FOR DRAMA.
Polling booths across Greece have just closed, as a referendum that could determine the country’s place in the eurozone comes to an end.
Local media report that voting was brisk, similar to January’s turnout, as voters had their say in a contest that has electrified Greece, and beyond.
Finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has told CNBC that Greece could reach a deal with its creditors within 24 hours, if Greeks vote No today.
Straw polling has suggested that the No side may be ahead, but the full result may not be known for many hours.
The mayor of Thessaloniki, Yannis Boutaris, has called for Greek politicians to unite and go to Brussels to sign an agreement that will keep the debt-stricken country afloat next week.
He told reporters:
“There is an atmosphere in the country of seriousness and atonement. Irrespective of the result, politicians must all go together to Brussels to make an agreement.
It will be difficult but that is what has to happen.”
City traders and analysts are heading to their desks to watch the results unfold. Many expect a long night as the world’s financial markets react to the drama.
Swiss media are reporting that Greece is pushing on with an amnesty for undeclared assets, to boost revenue.
And Germany’s Spiegel newspaper has warned that Angela Merkel’s chancellorship is also on the line.....
4.59pm BST
16:59
We’re about to hear a lot of noise from Greece, as phone polls conducted today are released.
Important note - these are not full exit polls, according to local media.
As @SteliosBouras1 points out, what we'll get in a few mins are opinion polls--today's polls, yes, but still not exit polls or full results
4.56pm BST
16:56
Anyone planning to vote fashionably late should consider leaving the house right now
Five minutes to go. I'm in a calm corner of Greece where folks are gathering to follow history unfold #Greferendum
4.48pm BST
16:48
Helena Smith
Our correspondent Helena Smith has learned that sources close to the EU commission in Brussels are estimating that the NO vote could be ahead by 8 -10 points.
But Helena says we really don’t know how reliable the figure is as we don’t know what methodology was used to come up with this figure.
She adds:
Based, however, on anecdotal evidence a lot of middle class Greeks, who I spoke to today - and who would normally be firmly European and totally committed to their country’s continued role in the heart of Europe - conveyed how they had simply given up hope.
Younger middle class Greeks, with young children, said they were voting ‘no’ in the hope that at least that way their kids would have some kind of future. None of them seem to have been swayed by the fear factor: that of they voted ‘no’ the country would be kicked out of the euro.
4.42pm BST
16:42
Varoufakis tells CNBC: A deal can come in 24 hours
CNBC has now published its interview with Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis.
When asked how confident he was ahead of the result, he said:
I don’t need to be confident, this is a beautiful democracy. We only have to wait a few hours for the verdict to come through.
He was then asked how swiftly the Greek government could a deal with lenders, in the event of a “no” result:
24 hours.
Varoufakis: We'd have a deal with #Greece's lenders in 24 hours http://t.co/QMdrWj7aZJ
4.27pm BST
16:27
Helena Smith
As we flagged earlier, finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has claimed that in the event of a NO vote, a deal can be reached with creditors “within 24 hours.”
Is there something in this, our correspondent Helena Smith wonders?
I have just conducted a two-hour straw poll asking 12 people, across all age groups, if they had voted today and, if so, which way they had gone? A lot were returning from polls stations in the vicinity of central Athens.
Of the 12 , ten said they had voted OXI (No). The two who voted yes owned shops in the district of Plaka beneath the ancient Acropolis.
If the government (as I expect is the case) has also been conducting secret exit polls, it might explain Varoufakis’ remarks.
4.17pm BST
16:17
Sources: If there’s a NO tonight Greek govt will send negotiators back to Brussels tomo to recommence negotiations w/ eurogroup immediately
4.14pm BST
16:14
Only one choice was being recommended at this polling station in Chalkida, Evia today, reports Daniel Howden.
The Greek depression has hit the cement works and shipyards hard here, lending strong support to the ruling radical left coalition, Syriza.
Updated
at 4.24pm BST
4.07pm BST
16:07
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 BST
16:05
We’re in to the final hour of voting....
One hour to close of polls #greferendum
4.04pm BST
16:04
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 BST
16:00
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 BST
15:56
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 BST
15:50
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 BST
15:41
Hot day in Athens as Greeks vote in referendum and head to beaches. Lines at ATMs just as long, some longer #Grefenderum
3.41pm BST
15:41
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 BST
15:21
More photos from Greece today, via our GuardianWitness assignment:
OXI
OXI (=no) written on the Street at Ano Glyfada
Sent via Guardian Witness
By Eleni Gabriella Grigovits
5 July 2015, 14:11
Checking out where to vote Athens.
Two generations of voters checking out exactly where to cast their vote.
Sent via Guardian Witness
By finnkd
5 July 2015, 14:44
Updated
at 3.27pm BST
3.16pm BST
15:16
3.13pm BST
15:13
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.
Greek finance minister @yanisvaroufakis & Bank of Greece to hold emergency meeting with banks late tonight after poll result, I've learned
3.11pm BST
15:11
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.
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).
3.01pm BST
15:01
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.
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)
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 BST
14:46
Kate Connolly
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.
Other big banks are reportedly taking similar action.
2.44pm BST
14:44
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.
2.34pm BST
14:34
Solid turnout seen so far in Greek bailout vote: Local media reports that turnout has crossed crucial 40% mark for referendum to be valid.
2.34pm BST
14:34
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.
She told the Passauer Neuen Presse:
“The remark by Varoufakis is a mockery to everyone that suffers from (the effects) of terrorism.”
2.32pm BST
14:32
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.
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,”
2.32pm BST
14:32
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.
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 BST
14:25
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
2.22pm BST
14:22
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.
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)
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
2.15pm BST
14:15
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,
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’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”.
"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 BST
14:07
Remember, you can share your experiences of today’s referendum through GuardianWitness, as this reader already has:
To be or not to be?
Into the polling place, scanning the ballot, trying to find the better route for my country's future.
Sent via Guardian Witness
By ΓΑΒΡΙΗΛ ΟΥΡΑΗΛΙΔΗΣ
5 July 2015, 12:17
Updated
at 3.06pm BST
2.01pm BST
14:01
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.
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:
Updated
at 3.17pm BST
1.39pm BST
13:39
Lunchtime summary
1.26pm BST
13:26
1.24pm BST
13:24
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.
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.
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.
1.20pm BST
13:20
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
1.16pm BST
13:16
Helena Smith
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.
“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.”
12.53pm BST
12:53
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.
“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.
“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.”
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 BST
12:51
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).
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.
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 BST
12:46
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.
12.44pm BST
12:44
Greek media, you lose! Democracy > fear for a fairer E.U. #OXI #oxi2015 #dimopsifisma #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/kXP6CMdHZZ
12.41pm BST
12:41
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
12.34pm BST
12:34
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 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
12.31pm BST
12:31
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.
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.
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
12.22pm BST
12:22
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.
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.
12.08pm BST
12:08
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
Just voted in Athens, Elliniko. Remarkably organised considering it was all done in a week! Congrats! #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/gVfxAbHf0P
12.03pm BST
12:03
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.
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:
We won’t abandon the Greek people to their fate.
11.51am BST
11:51
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”.
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).
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?
11.49am BST
11:49
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.
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.
It’s not about taking refuge behind the ECB and others that have already done more than enough.
Updated
at 12.16pm BST
11.43am BST
11:43
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’ .
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 BST
11:25
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.
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).
11.22am BST
11:22
Morning summary
Updated
at 1.19pm BST
11.07am BST
11:07
#greekreferendum could be written in history as the 1st nat'l referendum where EU countries where somehow involved https://t.co/51eXFqJFK5
10.57am BST
10:57
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.
10.52am BST
10:52
#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
10.51am BST
10:51
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.
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 BST
10:43
Analysts say youth vote crucial
Helena Smith
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.”
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.”
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.
“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
10.42am BST
10:42
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.
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.
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”.
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 BST
10:32
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:
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.
10.23am BST
10:23
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.
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.
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.”
#Tsipras is mobbed by the media after voting #Greferendum pic.twitter.com/xJQdASnFt3
Updated
at 10.59am BST
10.07am BST
10:07
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.
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)
9.58am BST
09:58
Osborne warns UK not immune from European turmoil
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.
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.
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.
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 BST
09:50
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.
“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.
9.47am BST
09:47
Helena Smith
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.
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. “
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.”
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
9.40am BST
09:40
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.
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
