The dramatic developments following the call for a referendum has caused tension within the ranks of the governing SYRIZA party, with a number of Ministers and MEPs urging the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to accept the new proposal offered by Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday.
Amongst these SYRIZA officers are the government Vice President Yannis Dragasakis and the chairman of the Economic Advisor Council (SOE) Giorgos Houliarakis, who reportedly had a heated exchange of words with PM Tsipras aid, State Minister Nikos Pappas in Brussels.
The Prime Minister decided to reject their recommendations and returned to Athens, where he called the ministerial council meeting, that ultimately decided upon the referendum.
During the ministerial council meeting a number of Ministers were opposed to such a development, including the Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism Giorgos Stathakis, the Alternate Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection Yannis Panousis (who earlier appeared certain of an agreement being signed) and the Minister of Justice Nikos Paraskevopoulos.
Following the announcement of the referendum, MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis commented on Twitter that a Summit on Wednesday could result in an honest compromise that would avert a Grexit. However, following the statements of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday, he adopted the government line and accused him of attempting to overthrow the Tsipras government, adding that Greece will remain a part of Europe, with dignity.
On the contrary, MEP Kostas Chrysogonos publicized a letter he sent to PM Tsipra in March, warning him of the possible consequences of failing to make the loan payments. Mr. Chrysogonos also provided a legal and political argument for continuing negotiations, provided Greece remains a part of the European Union and single currency zone.
MEP Stelios Kouloglou on the other hand issued a statement arguing that the referendum will not provide a solution to deadlock and claims that even of the people vote ‘no’, it will be Pyrrhic victory for the Left. Given that Europeans are overwhelmingly against Greece, he called the PM to take advantage of any initiatives.
