Greece Parliament Approves Referendum on Bailout Sunday June 28,2015

 

The Greek parliament on Sunday June 28,2015 has backed Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' call for a referendum on the country's bailout deal with international creditors.

The referendum planned for Sunday July 05,2015 was approved by at least 179 deputies out of a total of 300 lawmakers.

The government easily passed the 151-vote threshold needed to authorise the referendum, with deputies from the far-right Golden Dawn voting with the government and pro-European opposition parties New Democracy, Pasok and To Potami and the KKE Communist party voting against

The creditors have not sought our approval but have asked for us to abandon our dignity. We must refuse. Alexis Tsipras, Greek prime minister

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras'leftist Syriza party and allied lawmakers voted in favour of the referendum that has angered its creditors who earlier rejected the debt-ridden country's request for a bailout extension.

The country needs to make a $1.8bn payment to the International Monetary Fund by Tuesday June 30,2015 or risk defaulting on its obligations

The Greek Prime Minister's announcement of a plebicite  on debt rescue terms has stunned negotiators