Ναι vs Όχι: Yes and No campaigns take to Greek web as referendum looms
As Greece prepares to vote in a popular referendum on the bailout deal and austerity measures it imposes, the heated debate on the country’s fate has exploded in expressive memes on social media, including politicians, Sparta, sculptures and what not.
On Sunday, Greeks will vote on whether the government should accept the creditors’ bailout demands or not. If the Greeks vote ‘Yes’ then the current government is likely to resign, and the people will have to accept the harsh austerity measures demanded by the creditors.
EU officials and the Greek opposition have warned that a ‘No’ vote would lead to Greece’s exit from the eurozone and potentially the EU, consequently raising questions about the viability of the euro.
Memes with hashtags #Oxi (translated from Greek as ‘No’) and #Nai (‘Yes’) have been trending in social media in anticipation of the impending showdown.
A photo posted by Aimilia Lem (@aimilialem) on Jul 2, 2015 at 6:46am PDT
The latest poll conducted by GOP for BNP Paribas found that 60 percent of those surveyed believed Greece should remain part of the eurozone at any cost.
#NAI ή #OXI #greferendum #grexit
A photo posted by Nektarios (@specialistas69) on Jul 2, 2015 at 6:09am PDT
The same poll put the ‘Yes’ vote at 47.1 percent and the ‘No’ side at 43.2 percent.
A photo posted by Gamze Turan (@gamsiii) on Jun 30, 2015 at 1:38am PDT
Some Greeks blame the current Syriza government for pushing the country to the brink – Greece became the first developed country to default on its international obligations on Wednesday.
A photo posted by @tina.aram on Jul 2, 2015 at 8:39am PDT
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the EU’s strongest supporter of the austerity policy, has slammed PM Alexis Tsipras’ cabinet for the “desperate state” the country is in.
Ο Βλάκας της χρονιάς . Ο άνθρωπος που κατέστρεψε την Ελλάδα .Posted by Vassilis Kassimatis on Sunday, June 28, 2015
A photo posted by Gunther Sonnenfeld (@goonth) on Jul 2, 2015 at 8:19am PDT
During a televised national address on Wednesday, Tsipras, in turn, underlined his commitment to the referendum, saying any talk about expelling Greece from the Eurozone, should Greek voters say “No” to austerity in Sunday’s referendum, was a bluff.
Win or lose. Always with democracy! #oxi #solidarity #greece #democracy #syriza #weowegreece
A photo posted by Davinderboo (@davidpowles) on Jul 1, 2015 at 3:11pm PDT
Others put the blame on EU leaders, who they believe forced the country into a state of default.
A photo posted by @odysseasmois on Jul 2, 2015 at 5:32am PDT
Athens was supposed to make an IMF loan payment of 1.6 billion euros by the July 1st, but failed to do so. An additional €6.6 billion in payments to the ECB will come due in July and August.
#ΕΛΛΑΣ #ελλαδα #greek #greece #oxi #οχι
A photo posted by DIMITRIS HELLENIC TATTOOS (@hellenic_tattoos) on Jul 2, 2015 at 5:05am PDT
Some Europeans have been supportive of a Greek call to bundle the loan.
Καλημέρα!! And how true this is! #Greece #iamgreek #oxi #german #vlameni
A photo posted by justinerollas (@justinerollas) on Jun 30, 2015 at 3:38pm PDT
A solidarity protest is planned for Friday in Berlin, with thousands expected to attend.
A photo posted by Lady.D (@kyriaki_gabriella) on Jul 1, 2015 at 10:34am PDT
A photo posted by @henklbr on Jul 2, 2015 at 3:50am PDT
