Tsipras to Merkel-Hollande: "I will not back down with the referendum"

The Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, had a telephone conversation with the French President, François Hollande and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in the afternoon.

"Democracy is a supreme value. The referendum will be held regardless of the Eurogroup's decision ", said the Prime Minister, according to government sources. Whatever decision the Eurogroup makes, the Greek people will have oxygen and next week, they will survive, stressed Alexis Tsipras. The same information states that Alexis Tsipras specifically said: "Today is a day of shame for Europe. Democracy was born in Greece. I will not ask your permission to hold a referendum. "Whatever the Eurogroup decides, the Greek people will decide sovereignly." The prime minister also spoke on Friday, after his speech, with Angela Merkel and François Hollande, announcing his decision. Mega Greece reports that he was pressured to back down, while Mrs. Merkel pointed out that in case Athens chooses the referendum, the question should not be "yes or no to the proposal of the Institutions", but "yes or no". For his part. "For his part, Alexis Tsipras told the German chancellor that he could express her opinion, but Greece's presence in the euro is not something that comes into question. "Democracy was born in Greece and we will not take leave of what the Greek people will be asked. Greece is a sovereign country, the parliament decides what the question is "said Alexis Tsipras, according to the information. He is also said to have said to François Hollande:" And you in France when you hold a referendum no other people will tell you who it will be the question you will ask ".

Source: news.in.gr