Gov’t spokesman: referendum would only be called in event of impasse
As talks got under way between technical teams representing Greece’s creditors and government officials in Athens, government spokesman Gavriil Sakellarides said on Friday that authorities were keen to reach a solution in negotiations but that they would consider calling a referendum if talks broke down.
“Since the moment it came to power, the government has been striving to ensure there is no deadlock in negotiations,” Sakellaridis told Vima FM. “If we find ourselves pushed to the limit, at a point of deadlock, which we hope does not occur… there are always other solutions,” he said.
Asked what question the government would pose in the event of a referendum, the spokesman said that it would be based on the issues that led to the deadlock. “If there is a deadlock in the discussion because for instance the creditors ask for the enforcement of certain tough austerity measures then the question, which I emphasize is entirely indicative and theoretical, would have to do with the imposition of those measures or not,” he said.
