Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addressed the nation following the country’s unambiguous opposition to the international creditor’s’ proposed bailout deal, a stance which his administration has fully endorsed. Tsipras labeled the referendum as a victory for the whole of Greece, as well as a clear sign that democracy cannot be intimidated, and pressed for unity among Greeks. “Regardless of what you voted today, from now on we are all one. And it is our duty to do our best to overcome this crisis and elevate Greece again” he said. Tsipras reiterated that today’s vote was not a question about Greece’s presence in the Eurozone but a question of what kind of Europe Greeks want. The mandate Greeks have given him is to strengthen the country’s negotiating position for a socially just deal with potential and to end the austerity cycle. “We all know that there are no easy solutions. There are however fair solutions. There are are sustainable solutions. If both sides want it” he said and thanked the European people who showed solidarity with Greece this week. Tsipras confirmed that Greece will return to the negotiating table starting tomorrow with the main priority being the recovery of the country’s banking system and financial stability, which has been compromised this past week with the imposition of capital controls. “I am certain that the European Central Bank understands fully not only the general economic situation but also the humanitarian side of the crisis in our country” the prime minister said. The Greek government will continue negotiations to secure a plan of credible financing and reforms which will be socially just, that will move the burden from the weak to the financially powerful and will ensure investment growth with the help of the European commission. “This time there will also be the issue of the debt at the negotiating table, especially when the International Monetary Fund report accepts that,” he added. “A report that was absent until today form the negotiations as it became public just two days ago and confirms Greek positions of a necessary debt restructuring to reach sustainable solution for Greece and Europe’s exit from the crisis”. Tsipras informed the public that following his speech he will meet the President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, to call for a meeting with the country’s political party leaders to discuss the result and get their suggestions on the next move.
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