Skip to main content

Will Greece Be the First to Leave the EU?

Share This article

The question in Europe Monday is whether Greece will remain in the European Union.

In an historic referendum Sunday, 61 percent of Greeks said "no" to a plan from the nation's creditors for more austerity measures in return for more rescue loans.

"I'm very proud of the Greek people, very, very proud. We don't want to be slaves," Niki Kalomiri, one of many residents who voted no, said.

The Greeks in essence have called the bluff of Europena Union leaders, who warned that a no vote would mean they'd be bounced out of the European Union.

The referendum may have given Greece a stronger hand to negotiate more favorable terms or it could mean its departure from the European Union -- a move many say will bring about the collapse of its banking system and a return to its national currency, the drachma.

French President Francoise Holland said he will bend over backwards to keep Greece in. Still, following the referendum the future is unclear.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis resigned after Sunday's vote. He told George Stephanopolous on ABC's "This Week" the United States should watch the results of the referendum carefully.

"I think the United States have [sic] a great interest in seeing that the austerity drive that started here in Greece -- end. And see that we have a rational economic policy, not just for the sake of Europe, but for the sake of the global economy," Varoufakis said.

E.U. leaders now may have to backtrack on their threats to throw Greece out of the European Union or deal with the fallout. 

Martin Schulz, president of the E.U. parliament, warned a no vote meant Greece would be out. But after the no vote, he seemed to change his tune.

"It's now up to the Greek government to make proposals which could convince the 18 other member states of the eurozone and the institutions in Brussels that it is necessary, possible, and even effective to renegotiate," Schulz said.

Talks are underway. Polls show most Greeks want to remain part of the European Union. Still, there's concern that anti-E.U. sentiment could spread amidst the fear and political turmoil.

"I would have voted no because we are slaves to Germany," Rome resident Federica Aspetti said. "Enough, we should really follow Greece's example."

The European Central Bank will decide if the emergency stimulus for Greece can be extended.

If it doesn't get an emergency injection of cash, the country will run out of cash in the coming days.

Share This article

About The Author

Dale
Hurd

Dale Hurd utilizes his four decades of experience to provide cutting-edge analysis of the most important events affecting our world. Since joining CBN News, Dale has reported extensively from Europe, China, Russia, and South America. His reports have been used or cited by NBC News, Fox News, and numerous news websites. Dale was credited with “changing the political culture in France” through his groundbreaking coverage of the rise of militant Islam in that nation. His stories garnered millions of views in Europe on controversial topics ignored by the European media. Dale has also covered the