John Pantelakis: What the Greece referendum is all about

Οδηγίες προς ναυτιλλομένους : Instructions for Seafarers 

BY JOHN PANTELAKIS

Things are so confused and blurred, I imagine hardly anyone can distinguish the “good” and “evil” of this story called “referendum”. The issue is much more complex than it seems, simplifications, populism and generalizations prevail and rather difficult to argue that anyone became wiser from the debate in the House.

They dominated the slogans, personal and party conflicts and efforts to gain impressions and not he would distinguish the truth. Not the truth of the one or the other, but one that is close to an objective. To make a little effort with the hope to contribute a little to the understanding, nothing more.

Question 1: What exactly will the text of the vote be next Sunday?

A text, which was given by lenders to the Greek government as negotiations ended. There was a final text that agreed both sides.

Nevertheless it is a text that has some different (deviation) from the text of the Greek side. Foreign news media, identified the difference as 2 billion Euro. The Greek side said that “we are very close to an agreement”.  And thus probably the difference would be less.

Indicative of liquidity than the approach of the two sides, the government’s position as regards VAT exemptions on the islands.Characterizes “red line”, but after the reviewed relevant (Phillis’ the VAT increase on the islands has never been “red line.”

I do not think that is the most difficult decisions. I acknowledge that affect the lives of residents, but not the most significant “).

Question 2: Are we voting against the imposition of new measures that the creditors want to impose? 

Absolutely not.

Negotiations concerning the amount and type of measures to be imposed. But certainly there would be new painful measures. Indicatively, the proposals of the government a few days ago kostologounto about 8 billion.

New measures which I will not only touched the helpless.The VAT increase, maintaining for two years ENFIA, indirect (through increased retention) reduction in pensions and so are measures embracing mainly low and middle economic strata. The government even in recent days made new concessions, 8 billion. Would rise.

Question 3: In the positions of the parties against the referendum, there are clear divisions on ideological sign?Those who vote ‘yes’ to belong to a single ideological blogs, those who vote ‘no’ to another?

Of course not.

In front of the “yes” teaming ND-PASOK-RIVER at “no” SYRIZA-ANEL-GOLDEN DAWN. ” It would Leveling generalization if it were a distinction of this kind.If looking for a “clean” position consistently (regardless of the degree of disagreement or agreement), this has the CPG alone.

Question 4: Will the result of the referendum will affect the country stay in the euro?

It is certain that the ‘no’ would undermine this standing.

The country enters uncharted waters, as this is unprecedented for us to draw reliable conclusions.

Obviously there is no European contract providing for the exit of a country from the common currency, but also certain is that there are ways on the part of lenders to press the country (through the imposition of economic suffocation), lead to a voluntary retirement and return in national currency.

However, and this is linked to the impact this would have and the overall architecture of the euro, fears domino i.e., who also are from one a strong negotiating paper by the Greek government, on the other hand are obviously a limit. The eurozone is already discussing ways to reduce the crisis spreads.

Question 5:  The referendum has left sign, as claimed by government officials?

If the political differentiation of that left by other parties, is the difference amount and type of new measures, everyone puts in his conclusions.

I recall that the government has proposed measures at least 8 billion. Euro. And there are other questions before someone goes reliable conclusions about whether this is a choice left.Increasing the share of tax capacity and the gradual elimination of special tax relief in the shipping industry, which proposed lenders but not the Greek government an option to the left sign or not?

The abolition of the privilege of former workers, in favor of banks in bankrupt companies, proposed by the government, has left sign?We are informed just about all of the proposals before draw such a conclusion safely.

Question 6: Emotionally charged slogans such as “Yes to dignity, not in subjugation”, “not to germanotsoliades and nenekous’ expressed by some of the defenders of” no “have real basis, even in their exaggeration?

If the dignity and betrayal, valued at several million euros separating the two sides (lenders-government), obviously they have. Otherwise let’s forget evoke other eras, have no connection with reality, strengthen imaginary enemies and intensify a civil war in which we are already experiencing.

Question 7: Is there a basis as the government claims, as the Minister says that “the proposal of institutions is incompatible with the program with which the elected government” and so it leads us to a referendum?

If we want to paramythiazontan, obviously not. SYRIZA was elected peaking in Thessaloniki program with measures worth 11 billion. Euro in favor of society, which not only did not apply, even in a small part, but also proposed tough measures 8 billion. Euro.

These ones. And good polls.

I was born in Athens, near the stadium of Alexandras Avenue, the unique rather “temple” which kowtow. I studied a little about economics and more about journalism, but the record says he probably did wrong. Since 1983 emissions make radio ERT while I worked in various magazines (Click, Man, reviewer etc.) but mainly newspapers (Dawn, First, etc.). Last, the “Eleftherotypia”, from which I left as editor in December 2011 after 22.5 years. When I have a good mood, I read books on the Spanish civil war. After optimistic! Rather difficult my case.