FARAGE TO GREECE: Call Europe’s Bluff

The UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has issued a call for the Greek people to call the European Union’s bluff and “vote no” in the referendum scheduled for tomorrow. 

Polls will open in Greece at 7am on Sunday, with the country’s population being asked for vote on the bailout conditions negotiated by finance minister Alexis Tsipras and Greek creditors – not the country’s membership of the Euro, although many think the two things are inseparable.

But at the referendum draws closer, Mr Farage has issued a call for Greek voters to vote against the deal offered to them, telling Breitbart London that the country should “Call Jean Claude Juncker’s bluff” adding, “Regardless of the result tomorrow, it is clear that at some point, Greece will leave the Euro”.

His comments echo those he made in his weekly column in the Express newspaper, where he said:

“Just look at Iceland. Iceland defaulted on its debt, nationalised its big banks and then was able to begin the process of economic recovery.

“Currency devaluation there in turn led to economic growth. That is what Greece needs more than anything.”

Greek officials are currently in disagreement as to whether the referendum passes the legal test. The Economist reports:

“On Friday a Greek court ruled on a suit challenging the constitutionality of the referendum due to serious legal and practical problems. The court declined to block the referendum, but its validity could be challenged after it is held.”

Polls have placed the result of the vote within the margin of error, though most agree that the Greeks seem to prefer the Euro over a return to the Drachma.

The ramifications of a ‘No’ vote are also hotly disputed, with the likes of Mr Farage claiming that economic recovery could be easier following a rejection of the bailout conditions and a return to the Drachma. Others claim the result would herald fresh chaos for Greece, which saw banks having to close and ATMs offering limited withdrawals due to a run on the currency.