Opposition leaders eye ‘pro-Europe’ united front

ND MP Voridis: referendum questions are “Yes or no to Europe”, and, “Yes or No to the government?”

Greece’s opposition leaders were preparing a “front” of all the country’s pro-European political forces ahead of what are expected to be unprecedented developments ahead of a called referendum by the country’s radical leftist government.

According to reports, main opposition leader Antonis Samaras has already spoken with PASOK’s Evangelos Venizelos and centrist Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis, with new PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata to be briefed in the afternoon.

Certain proposals within ND’s political council have already called for radical “institutional interventions”, such the resignation of all the party’s MPs from Parliament.

Calmer proposals called for very clear and forceful “Yes” in the July 5 referendum, assuming one takes place.

Venizelos, on his part, said the removal of a proposal by creditors formulates a political climate whereby a referendum may not even take place.

Speaking earlier from Parliament, ND rapporteur Makis Voridis warned the SYRIZA government that it is asking voters to “choose on an exit from the euro”.

“The eight billion euros (in tax hikes, increased VAT rates) in your proposal aren’t austerity?” he asked members of the majority. “How do you feel? Your prime minister has been trapped,” were Voridis’ statements.

In line with the reasoning emerging with most of the ‘pro-Europe’ opposition, Voridis said the referendum question is double: “Yes or no to Europe”, and, “Yes or No to the government?”

He said his prediction is that the people will choose Europe and say “no” to the current government.

“I hear you sulking that they won’t let you implement your program. You all, however, have promised wages, pensions etc. A small detail is missing: You don’t have money … what you’re asking the people to choose is an exit from the euro,” he charged, warning that the leftist government is backing the so-called “drachma lobby”.

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