Capital Controls were slightly eased last Monday when a new decree allowed depositors to withdraw 300 euros per week per account, as an alternative to 60 euros per day, causing a number of depositors to rush to the bank on Friday. There were huge lines at a number of banks in Athens, from early in the morning, as people – mainly seniors – patiently waited their turn to withdraw their weekly “allowance”.

Next week, the amount can be rolled over for a lump sum withdrawal of 420 euros on Friday, July 31.

Proto Thema meets some of the people waiting in the lines:
“I came after seven in the morning to withdraw 300 euros. All of this is a huge mess, a very huge mess… a predicament. I don’t have a debit card, but even if I did, I have a problem with my sight and I can’t (use it),” said a pensioner waiting in line at Kallithea.

“Why are we here? Is it to have a party? I also withdrew some money mid-week and am waiting to get less than 300 euros,” said another pensioner.

“I came at five in the morning and the number I got is 10. I came to withdraw 300 euros to pay the electricity bill so that they won’t cut it,” said another person waiting in the line.