Even if the Greek government expressed confidence that an agreement will be swiftly secured with the country’s European partners after today's Eurogroup meeting; the possibility of calling for a referendum has not been ruled out by certain government members.
A scenario sees Greece going to the polls on June 7. The writs for a June 7 referendum have to be issued by presidential degree one month after legislation is passed. The referendum will be held on Sunday with the procedure starting at 7:00 and Polls closing at 19:00.
Almost 50% of voters will be in favor of a referendum
According to a new opinion poll released by MRB for Real News 58.8% of the people said they would agree with the ratification of the agreement between Greece and its European partners if its viable, 28.8% call for a referendum and 5.8% call for elections. In the case that all unpopular measures are imposed 42.6% of people asked say they would be in favor of a referendum, 37% call for the agreement's ratification, and 11.3% call for elections.
What the question will be
In case of referendum the question that the Greek voters will be called to vote for has yet to be revealed. It could be something as “Choose between Euro or Drachma” or “Do you Agree with the new measures imposed by Greece's European partners”. In either case voters will be ask to choose yes or no.
The crucial outcome today's Eurogroup meeting
The message from yesterday's meeting of minister's is clear “either the Eurogroup makes a goodwill gesture by forcing the ECT to restore the Greek market's liquidity or Athens might delay the payment of the scheduled installments to IMF, worth some €780 million.
“Progress has been made, but an agreement can only be reached within the framework of the political mandate that brought us into power” the Greek Prime Minister said in a brief statement.
Government MPs divided over referendum
Government MPs seem to be divided over referendum. Here's a list of those who are in favor and those against.
Government MPs in favor of a referendum
- Alekos Flampuraris
- Pangiotis Lafazanis
- Panos Skourletis
- Alexis Mitropoulos
- Nikos FIlis
Government MPs against a referendum
- Giorgos Stathakis
- Panagiotis Kouroumplis
- Panos Kammenos
- Dimitris Papadimoulis
Constitutional provisions for referendum
According to the Greek constitution there are two types of referendum
- Referendums for “important national matters”. In order to call such a referendum, a proposal must be introduced in the Parliament and voted by 151 MPs.
- A post-legislative referendum (held after legislation is passed). In order to call such a referendum, a proposal must be introduced in the Parliament and voted by 180 MPs.
According to Article 44 of the Greek Constitution
Under extraordinary circumstances of an urgent and unforeseeable need, the President of the Republic may, upon the proposal of the Cabinet, issue acts of legislative content. Such acts shall be submitted to Parliament for ratification, as specified in the provisions of article 72 paragraph 1, within forty days of their issuance or within forty days from the convocation of a parliamentary session. Should such acts not be submitted to Parliament within the above time-limits or if they should not be ratified by Parliament within three months of their submission, they will henceforth cease to be in force.
The President of the Republic shall by decree proclaim a referendum on crucial national matters following a resolution voted by an absolute majority of the total number of Members of Parliament, taken upon proposal of the Cabinet.
A referendum on Bills passed by Parliament regulating important social matters, with the exception of the fiscal ones shall be proclaimed by decree by the President of the Republic, if this is decided by three-fifths of the total number of its members, following a proposal of two-fifths of the total number of its members, and as the Standing Orders and the law for the application of the present paragraph provide. No more than two proposals to hold a referendum on a Bill can be introduced in the same parliamentary term.
Should a Bill be voted, the time-limit stated in article 42 paragraph 1 begins the day the referendum is held.
The President of the Republic may under exceptional circumstances address messages to the People with the consent opinion of the Prime Minister. Those messages should be countersigned by the Prime Minister and published in the Government Gazette.
The last referendum in Greece was held on 8 December 1974, on whether Greece should remain a monarchy or establish a republic.