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发帖数: 872 | 1 (CNN) -- Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou announced Monday a national
referendum to approve the bailout deal reached at last week's EU summit.
The surprise move casts a shadow on the European Union debt deal that would
allow as much as 50% of the nation's loan payments be reduced, in exchange
for new ...........$138 billion.............. in aid to finance Greece's
ballooning debt.
No date has been set on the vote, although local press reports say the
referendum could come in January.
A "no" vote threatens to unravel the deal, which was greeted with fanfare
last week as a way to keep debt woes in Greece and other European nations
from spilling across other borders, threatening the 17 nations united under
the euro currency.
A weekend survey in Greece found nearly 60% opposed the debt deal reached in
Brussels last week.
Europe's Debt Crisis
"Clearly opens a can of worms, because the referendum vote could go one of
two ways," said Frederic Neumann, a senior economist for HSBC.
"If approved, a vote of confidence in government's handling of the situation
... if calmer heads prevail and it can rationally be explained to the
public, I wouldn't discount the measure being approved.
"The problems for the markets, until the referendum is passed, there is
added uncertainty. That's just an added headache."
Besides the Greek debt reduction plan, last week's EU deal pledged to
quadruple the EU's bailout fund to about $1.38 trillion, and raise the
capital required to help cushion the region's banks from financial shocks.
Papandreou also asked for a vote of confidence this week in his beleaguered
ruling Socialist party government.
A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Greece, setting off a
three-day debate about Papandreou's leadership. A vote is not expected until
late Friday. Papandreou only needs 120 votes and 153 seats in parliament
are held by the ruling party.
"The new measures must be approved by parliament and the Greek people,"
Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Greek television.
The referendum will ask for a "yes" or "no" to the new aid package.
"The country is living a drama," Venizelos said. "Citizens are confused ...
that is why the referendum is necessary." |
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