By Maximos Giannis
Alexis Tsipras has asked the Greek people to vote, with a simple yes or no, on whether or not they accept the measures that the country’s creditors, “the Institutions”, want to impose on Greece for the continuation of the bailout deal. The matter seems simple, but in reality the complexity of it may confuse the average voter and lead to a false result.
Saying yes to the referendum would mean that the voter accepts the measures and wants Greece to remain within the European Union, still having to pay its debts but continuing to be a part and enjoy the advantages of this extensive group. Saying no would mean that he or she refuses the measures and is willing to put Greece’s EU membership at risk. In the latter case, Greece would regain its full independence and sovereignty, which is currently compromised through the bailout conditions and, in some ways, through EU membership, too. Greece would be free and obliged to operate on its own, with a shattered economy after years of recession and increasing immigration problems from the south/east.
It would be virtually impossible for Greece to exit the EU and develop a strong economy of its own in order to be able to survive in today’s world.
Generally speaking, these are the reasons that one would be for or against the motion. There are other motives, though, in the mind of the voter, of historical and ideological provenance. The most broadly accepted and logical opinion on the matter would be that Greece must stay in the EU and, therefore, accept the measures and continue paying back the debt. Otherwise, as mentioned above, it would be virtually impossible for Greece to exit the EU and develop a strong economy of its own in order to be able to survive in today’s world. For others, though, going it alone would be the ideal situation for Greece, but it would require a lot of hard work, good governance and dedication in order to deal with, among other things, the new currency that would have to be introduced.
Many people in Greece are simply frustrated with today’s situation; they suffer from constant salary and pension reductions and tax rises, and wish to see positive change. They support Tsipras and his government and believe that Europe cannot continue treating them this way. Many among them are blinded by their anger and will probably vote ‘no’ at the referendum as a reaction to what is happening to the country and to them personally. In other words, they do not think about the consequences of Greece exiting the EU and only oppose Europe because of the current economic situation, which decreases their standards of living. This may lead to a result that is neither preferable for Greece nor representative of the people’s opinion, but just of their anger and frustration.
The question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. The situation in Greece is complex and Alexis Tsipras, with his idea of a referendum, definitely shook things up. We just have to keep in mind that Europe is a strong organisation of countries with shared interests, and there is no reason to move away from it instead of getting closer. Some may be opposed to several principles of the European Union and Western society in general, but this is another issue which does not directly relate to the Greek referendum at this critical moment.
Many among them are blinded by their anger and will probably vote ‘no’ at the referendum as a reaction to what is happening to the country and to them personally.
I personally believe that the reasonable choice for Greece right now is to remain within the Eurozone. Despite living abroad, I love my country. And, as a seventeen-year old student with my future before me, I believe that the Greek people will suffer more if we exit the EU, bringing about a different kind of suffering which will probably last a long time. We know very well that the European Union member states have an internal web of market, capital and labour exchanges. People from one country freely go to the other to find work in search of a better life. This does not happen everywhere in the world, as in other regions like the Middle East at the moment, moving from country to country can be threatening to one’s life. European countries share a common system of values and principles of peace and cooperation, to which Greece will no longer have access if it were to exit the EU. The Greek economy may collapse entirely and the people would only then comprehend the huge impact of the lack of support from Europe, only when it is too late.
Saying no to the referendum may, for many people, be an impulsive reaction to the situation we find ourselves in today, but the voter should first consider the true impact of his or her vote and what that vote would mean for Greece. Europe’s disadvantages exist and have to be taken into account, of course, but this is not the right time for a severing of ties between Greece and the EU.
Maximos Giannis is a 17 year-old student studying in the European School in Brussels.
The editorial team of Katoikos
