After five months of endless negotiations and clashes with our partners and creditors and reaching a dead end, the Prime Minister took the risky move and passed on the responsibility of choosing to the Greek people.
The dilemma that he and his government faced from virtually the first day they came to power is passed on to the people, who are now called, according to Mr. Tsipras, to decided whether to support or reject the agreement with the troika.
However much the government may want the Greek people to focus on the question it has posed, the main dilemma is whether Greece should remain in the euro or not. Inevitably, this is the question that the people will be called upon to answer.
The Greek people have been living in agony with “euro or drachma” dilemma for the past five years and based on this question they elected governments in the past few years. Mr. Tsipras was elected based on the assurance of remaining in the euro.
In this respect, whatever the question is posed, the Greek people will answer whether they want our country to remain in the Eurozone. After all, that is what the first reactions of the Greek people suggest.
It is no coincidence that the international media also interpret the referendum this way. That is how everyone treats the Prime Minister’s initiative. The events in the next few days will confirm that the question is whether we should remain in the euro or return to the drachma.
It is unfortunate that in the mean time, in the week that follows, there may likely be developments capable of determining the result of this major dilemma, before the Greek people can express their will in Mr. Tsipras’ referendum.
Today on Sunday, after the Eurogroup convenes, the European Central Bank’s board members will gather to decide whether to carry on supporting the Greek banks.
Nothing guarantees that the support will continue after the referendum is carried out. The government is after it, but the European Central Bank’s decision will depend on many factors, which are not necessarily political.
In any case, the referendum, divisive in its nature, is not simple and will greatly affect the fate our the country.
Perhaps it is the prelude for undesirable facts and developments. Then again, it may offer the opportunity for a final response to the major dilemma of the crisis, which is none other that remaining in the Eurozone or returning to a national currency. The Greek people will finally and irrevocable decide upon the path they tread.
Antonis Karakousis
