“We are monitoring the situation closely”, she said, without offering further details. It was made all the more satisfying by the fact that the loudest advocates of a Yes vote included those same European institutions, the leaders of the EU’s most powerful countries, most of the Greek opposition and nearly all the country’s privately-owned media. Greek banks, which have been closed all week and rationing withdrawals from cash machines, are expected to run out of money within days unless the European Central Bank provides an emergency lifeline. On Monday, Greece’s creditors said the ball was in Athens’ court to present a credible deal. The Greek prime minister’s hand was further strengthened by a declaration of support for his negotiating position by three Greek opposition parties, including the centre-left Pasok and the centre-right New Democracy.
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European officials are to discuss the situation on Tuesday, with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying the door was open for a return to negotiations on Greece’s debt but calling on Athens to make “serious” proposals. The worldwide Monetary Fund warned last week that it would need massive debt relief and 50 billion euros in fresh funds.
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The worldwide Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday it was ready to help Greece – if asked to do so – following the referendum that rejected the bailout-for-reforms deal proposed by worldwide creditors. “I’m so happy”, said 37-year old Dima Rousso, adding that she hadn’t expected there to be such a clear margin between the “No” votes and the “Yes” votes.
