Greece's risky electoral confrontation with its creditors
exploded into a cathartic street party in Athens late Sunday, as a
nation that has been pushed to the brink of economic despair
rejoiced at its resolve to not blink in a high-stakes stare down
with Europe.
Hundreds of Greeks gathered in front of the country's parliament
late Sunday to celebrate the resounding referendum rejection of a
rescue package offered by Greece's eurozone creditors.
As soon as results started trickling in, the main Syntagma
square filled up with Greeks of all ages—ordinary voters, union
representatives, ministers and members of parliament from the
ruling Syriza party.
"No, no, no" they chanted, waving Greek and Syriza flags and
holding banners that read "'No', for a free country."
In the weeklong sprint since Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
announced the referendum, pundits around Europe opined that Greeks
would be sabotaging their own futures by voting against the bailout
terms. Such fears weren't on display in euphoric central Athens
late Sunday
Varvara Papadimitriou, a 46-year old mother-of-five, said she
wasn't afraid of what comes next.
"It cannot get any worse than it is right now. Regardless of
what happens I feel pride and dignity."
"Tsipras is the best," she added, echoing the feeling of many on
Athens's main square who were shouting slogans supporting the
country's prime minister.
The gathering quickly turned into a big party, with people
drinking beers and dancing in circles.
After midnight, people were dancing to the tune of 'Zorba the
Greek', an iconic Greek song from the film of the same name.
Although they had been forced to line up for ATMs and despite
warnings from European officials that a "no" vote could send their
country outside of the eurozone, the people on the streets said
they thought Greece had won the game of chicken with its
creditors.
"Our place in the eurozone was never and will never be at risk,"
saif 53-year-old Giorgos Dermitzakis.
"Nobody can turn its back to a nation," said Maria Athanasaki, a
34-year old French teacher. "A better deal is necessary—the other
European people will demand it," she added.
Big cheers were heard on the news that former Greek prime
minister and leader of the opposition New Democracy party Antonis
Samaras had resigned.
"We want another referendum to put in jail all the Greek
politicians who brought us here," said Zoe Vergaki a 31 year-old
musician.
Resentment to media coverage was also prevalent among the people
in the streets, who were chanting slogans against journalists.
Over the last week, many Greek private TV stations and
newspapers have taken a clear position to a 'yes' vote. According
to analysts, this has angered voters and strengthened the 'no'
camp.
"We went to a referendum with all the TV stations and papers
against us, and with the banks shut," said Dimitris Antoniades, a
50-year-old civil servant, holding a Greek flag and wearing a 'No'
sticker on his T-shirt.
Write to Nektaria Stamouli at nektaria.stamouli@wsj.com and
Viktoria Dendrinou at viktoria.dendrinou@wsj.com
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