Call for bailout referendum after Greek decision

THE decision by the Greek government to let its citizens decide whether to accept the revised EU aid package has led to calls for the Irish Government to follow suit.

Yesterday, Greek prime minister George Papandreou announced the government is to hold a referendum to see if voters want to adopt the new €130 billion package.

This follows a poll that suggests nearly 60% of Greek voters view the new bailout deal as “negative” or “probably negative”.

Mr Papandreou said if Greeks do not want the deal, it will not be adopted. “We trust citizens, we believe in their judgment.”

Last night, the Socialist Party MEP for Dublin, Paul Murphy, said working people in Ireland should ask the Government whether it has plans for a similar referendum.

“The people of Ireland must be given a say on the so-called bailout that condemns working people to austerity and misery for years to come.”

Meanwhile, the Repudiate the Debt Campaign, which calls itself “a broad grassroots non-party political campaign of communities and individuals” also called for a referendum.

“The Irish people must be allowed to have a vote, as they are the ones being forced to pay a debt not of their making,” it said.