Federal Member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou is expecting a majority to vote for the proposals offered by Greece’s international creditors in tomorrow’s referendum, in defiance of the recommendation by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Just days before leaving for Greece on a working visit, the Victorian Labor MP told Neos Kosmos: “There are powerful conflicting emotions amongst the Greek people and Greek politicians in response to the debt crisis and to the referendum; on one hand are those who are consumed by the rallying call ‘freedom or death’ and ‘ΟΧΙ’ – a fine sentiment when you believe there is nothing more to lose, and then there is growing fury at the government’s behaviour, its failure to negotiate a settlement that takes into account the reality of Greece’s predicament and its future prospects.”
While in Athens, Ms Vamvakinou will be a delegate at the 10th General Assembly of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association – a body of global parliamentarians of Hellenic heritage.
Ms Vamvakinou said she was aware of considerable anger in Greece over Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ call for the snap referendum “leaving many people questioning what the point of it is”.
“The government stands accused of dividing the Greek people at a critical time, when all efforts should be made to uphold a sense of national cohesion and solidarity.”
The MP said that the dramatic events unfolding “will give Greeks a taste of what the future might hold for them if they exit the euro and isolate themselves from their European partners … on that basis I anticipate a majority YES vote”.
Ms Vamvakinou, who departs for Greece next week, said she expected to find a country “in turmoil, a country divided”.
“Irrespective of the referendum decision, there will still be a need for Greece to face hard realities; about its debt and its economic future, either in or out of Europe.”