Athens mayor warns Greeks against rejecting Europe
Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis called for unity on Thursday, ahead of a critical referendum on Sunday but also stressed the dangers that a vote against the creditors’ proposals could have on Greece’s future prospects.
“The government’s decision to hold a referendum at the most critical moment of Greece’s postwar history exposes our country to unforeseen risks,” said Kaminis, who is spearheading the “yes” campaign.
“As a result of this referendum, our country risks being completely isolated within the European Union and facing even worse hardships and threats,” he added, speaking to foreign media in Athens.
However, he stressed that “what I am asking is that whatever Greeks vote, on Monday morning, we emerge not divided but united.”
Kaminis was also critical of Greece’s creditors, accusing the European institutions of showing “little sensibility to the pride of Greek people” and “confusing the Greek government with the Greek people.”
The lawyer and former Ombudsman has joined forces with Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris to press for a cross-party committee to negotiate a new debt deal for Greece.
Kaminis and Boutaris are the most prominent figures in the committee for the “Yes to Greece, yes to the euro” campaign, whose supporters include business groups and industry associations.
