It’s not enough to say “no”, ” “it’s necessary to write “yes”

“Should the agreement plan presented by the EU Commission, ECB, IMF to the Eurogroup of June 25 2015, consisting in two parts that constitute their unitary proposal, be accepted?” After Syntagma square celebrated the outcome of the referendum held in Greece on Sunday July 5th, it is necessary to return to the questions asked to Greek voters. “Yes” or “No” are the two only possible answers. But yes and no to what? What is the actual content – technical and financial, as well as political content – of the question printed on the voting cards, on which over 60% of voters affixed a determined “oxi”? Democracy – Greece’s history tells us – is the full and responsible participation to the “res publica”. Were all voters truly aware of the content of the “agreement handed in to EU Commission, ECB, and IMF to the Eurogroup of June 25 2015 consisting in two parts etc. etc?” And could a population worn out by 7 years of acute economic and social crisis truly and responsibly accept all the consequences deriving from a simple no, rather than from an equally simplistic yes? Unless we return to the meaning of the vote, its origins, also the attempt to measure its consequences could be in vain, as the referendum of June 5th had been decided exactly 8 days earlier. Eight million Greeks were called to decide on an extremely complex issue, with potentially devastating consequences after an explicatory campaign that lasted less than a week, marked by the bombastic statements of government officers (“the future of Greece is decided by Greeks”) and alarms by the opposition (“‘no’ will lead the Country outside Europe and national economy to catastrophe), external interferences (from Brussels, Berlin, Rome, Paris, Washington, Moscow…), not to mention the role of Greek media outlets, partly seduced by the Tsipras government and on the other hand flattened on the positions of the anti-Tsipras front. Thus the vote – that remains the best democratic expression in a modern nation – has offered a response on which it is at least legitimate to raise some doubts: what do the Greeks really want for their future? What are the great projects for the future of the Country with an extreme left- extreme-right government led by Alexis Tsipras? In fact, since the Greek premier took office, after the elections of past January, he constantly and coherently said no to Europe, to the Eurogroup, to foreign creditors, to “blood and tears” rescue plans prepared by the ex-Troika. On the other hand it has not lifted a finger to restore stability to the public finances of Athens (totally out of control), to implement credible reforms of pensions, education, health, and to revive the real economy through investment for growth. Alexis Tsipras, who came to power by turning his back to European rigor and forgetting the hundreds of billions poured in from Europe to save Greece, is now forced to turn once again to the international creditors and the European Union to obtain “credit lines “and abundant financial aid in order to avoid default. Banks shut down, empty supermarkets, unpaid pensions, closed hospitals are likely to be the Greek scenario in the coming weeks, leading to political instability, a prelude to civil unrest that nobody would like to see. Thus is Greece’s future doomed? Not necessarily, the resignation of Finance minister Yanis Varoufakis – sacrificed by his friend Tsipras – signal the will to negotiate a fair, reasonable way out with the Eurogroup. Moreover, the markets in turmoil and the mounting populist tides who sang victory across Europe along with the crowds convened in Syntagma Square are a message to European leaders to show caution and – ultimately – highlight the need for a solution that may save Greece from chasm. “We will not let Athens go adrift”, said German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, one of the “hawks” of rigor and alter ego of Chancellor Angela Merkel. “No to Grexit”, reiterated several Eurozone premiers, along with Jean-Claude Juncker, Donald Tusk, and Martin Schulz, respectively Presidents of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament. Although, it cannot be denied, many in Europe would like to leave Greece on its own … Moreover, the European Union and Greece are once again forced to negotiate and reach a long term point of encounter that may pave the way to solidarity towards Athens and obtain from the Pireo that very responsibility – implemented in actual reforms, and sadly, further sacrifices for the Greek population – which until now has been an unfulfilled promise.