Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ address concerning the referendum to be held on the 5th of July

Greek citizens,

For the last six months, the Greek government has been 
waging a battle under conditions of unprecedented 
economic asphyxiation, in order to implement your mandate, 
that of January 25th.

The mandate to negotiate with our partners to bring about an 
end austerity, and for prosperity and social justice to return to our 
country once more.

For a sustainable agreement that will respect democracy, 
as well as European rules, and which will lead to a definitive 
exit from the crisis.

During the negotiations, we were repeatedly asked to implement 
memoranda policies agreed to by the previous governments, 
despite the fact that the memoranda were unequivocally 
condemned by the Greek people in the recent elections.

We never considered giving in—not even for a moment. 
Of betraying your trust.

Following five months of tough negotiations, our partners 
submitted a proposal-ultimatum at the Eurogroup meeting, 
taking aim at Greek democracy and the Greek people.

An ultimatum that contravenes Europe’s founding principles 
and values. The values of our common European project.

The Greek government was asked to accept a proposal 
that will add new unbearable weight to the shoulders of 
the Greek people, and that will undermine the recovery 
of the Greek economy and society–not only by fueling 
uncertainty, but also by further exacerbating social inequalities.

The institutions’ proposal includes measures that will further 
deregulate the labor market, pension cuts, and further 
reductions in public sector wages–as well as an increase 
in VAT on food, restaurants and tourism, while eliminating the 
tax breaks of the Greek islands.

These proposals–which directly violate the European social 
acquis and the fundamental rights to work, equality and 
dignity–prove that certain partners and members of the 
institutions are not interested in reaching a viable and 
beneficial agreement for all parties, but rather the 
humiliation of the Greek people.

These proposals mainly illustrate the IMF’s insistence on 
harsh and punitive austerity measures. 
Now is the time for the leading European powers to rise 
to the occasion and take initiative to definitively end 
the Greek debt crisis, a crisis affecting other European 
countries as well, by threatening the very future 
of European integration.

Greek citizens,

We are facing a historic responsibility to not let the struggles 
and sacrifices of the Greek people be in vain, and to strengthen 
democracy and our national sovereignty—and this responsibility 
weighs upon us.

Our responsibility for our country’s future.

This responsibility obliges us to respond to the ultimatum 
based on the sovereign will of the Greek people.

Earlier this evening, the Cabinet was convened and 
I proposed holding a referendum, so that the Greek people 
can decide.

My proposal was unanimously accepted.

Tomorrow, the Parliament will hold an extraordinary 
meeting to ratify the Cabinet’s proposal for a referendum 
to take place next Sunday, on July 5th. 
The question on the ballot will be whether the institutions’ 
proposal should be accepted or rejected.

I have already informed the French President, the German 
Chancellor, and the ECB’s president of my decision, 
while tomorrow I will ask for a short extension of the program 
-in writing- from the leaders of the EU and the institutions, 
so that the Greek people can decide free of pressure 
and blackmail, as stipulated by our country’s Constitution 
and Europe’s democratic tradition.

Greek citizens,

I call on you to decide –with sovereignty and dignity 
as Greek history demands–whether we should accept 
the extortionate ultimatum that calls for strict and humiliating 
austerity without end, and without the prospect of ever 
standing on our own two feet, socially and financially.

We should respond to authoritarianism and harsh austerity 
with democracy–calmly and decisively.

Greece, the birthplace of democracy, should send 
a resounding democratic message to the European 
and global community.

And I personally commit that I will respect the outcome 
of your democratic choice, whatever it may be.

I am absolutely confident that your choice will honor our 
country’s history and will send a message of dignity worldwide.

In these critical times, we all have to remember that Europe 
is the common home of all of its peoples.

That in Europe there are no owners and guests.

Greece is, and will remain, an integral part of Europe, 
and Europe an integral part of Greece.

But a Europe without democracy will be a Europe without 
an identity and without a compass.

I call on all of you to act with national unity and composure, 
and to make a worthy decision.

For us, for our future generations, for Greek history.

For our country’s sovereignty and dignity.

http://www.primeminister.gov.gr