People withdrawing money in the centre of Athens, while a homeless man is sleeping right next to them – the photo was taken in the early hours of the 27th of June, 2015, just after Alexis Tsipras’ referendum announcement. Credit: Panagiotis Maidis.
This article originally appeared on VICE Greece
In the morning of the 27th of June, 2015 – after a long, exhausting period of negotiations with the European Union, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund – Greek Prime Minister Alex Tsipras announced that he was going to let the Greek people decide whether the country should accept the lenders’ latest proposed bailout conditions. The Greek Bailout referendum was set to be held only a week later – on the 5th of July, 2015.
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Chaos, naturally, ensued. As soon as news of the referendum broke, hordes of Greeks ran to cash machines to withdraw as much cash as possible. In the following days, the Greek government decided not to pay back the latest instalment of the loan – which meant that the country essentially declared bankruptcy. That led to capital controls that installed a withdrawal limit of €60 and continuous demonstrations by supporters of both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps – all taking place in a backdrop of extremely high temperatures and strange, almost tropical, summer thunderstorms. Greek voters overwhelmingly rejected the bailout conditions, yet with imports dropping by 11.7 percent, consumption by 4.3 percent and 3,000 fewer businesses created in the last twelve months – I think it’s safe to say that life in my country has only gotten worse.
In light of this black one-year anniversary, here are some photos from the week Greece will never forget.
More on VICE:
Greeks Are Emptying Their Bank Accounts After Last Night’s Referendum Announcement
We Partied with Defiant Greek ‘No’ Voters Last Night in the Streets of Athens
Capital controls are introduced on the 29th of June, 2015, which install a withdrawal limit of €60 – a small amount to some, a rather large amount to others.
Panagiotis Maidis
A ‘No’ demonstration takes place at Syntagma Square on the 29th of June, 2015.
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
A pro-Bailout demonstration takes place at the same place the next day – on the 30th of June, 2015 – but the rain makes things a little harder for the ‘Yes’ crowds.
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
Banks open their doors again on the 2nd of July, 2015 – but only to pensioners.
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
Meanwhile, tourists are having the time of their lives in Greece.
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
And some Greeks pack their bags for their annual trips to the islands.
Panagiotis Maidis
On Thursday, the 2nd of July, 2015, riot police use gas and stun grenades against a group of protesters who try to hang anti-EU banners at the European Commission HQ in Athens.
Panagiotis Maidis
3rd of July, 2015: A ‘No’ demonstration in Syntagma square.
Alexia Tsagari
Panagiotis Maidis
Alexia Tsagari
3rd of July, 2015: A ‘Yes’ demonstration in Kallimarmaro.
Panagiotis Maidis
On the weekend of the 4th and 5th of July, 2015 – hours before the referendum – temperatures go as high as 42 C. Many try to escape the extreme heat by going to the beach.
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
Still, the only thing on people’s minds is the upcoming referendum.
Voter turnout is 62.5 percent.
Panagiotis Maidis
Panagiotis Maidis
At the Ministry of Home Affairs, the first results point towards a ‘No’ vote.
Panagiotis Maidis
It’s not long, before the city centre is filled with people celebrating the fact that the bailout conditions were rejected by a majority of over 61 percent.
Panagiotis Maidis
Foreign media trail Greek politicians for statements.
Panagiotis Maidis
And while Europe is waiting to see what Alexis Tsipras is going to do next…
Panagiotis Maidis
… Greece is dancing…
Panagiotis Maidis
.. till the early hours of the morning.
Panagiotis Maidis
