Reuters: Greek Cabinet backs PM's Decision ( Referendum ie: democracy)

[Lionessa]

On Tuesday, the cabinet was threatening to request his ouster, so I think this is very good that the cabinet has decided on the side of democracy.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/02/us-greece-referendum-idUSTRE79U5PQ20111102

Greece's cabinet decided early on Wednesday to back Prime Minister George Papandreou's proposal for a referendum on a European Union aid deal, a government spokesman said.

"The cabinet expressed its support," said government spokesman Elias Mossialos. "The referendum will take place as soon as possible, right after the basics of the bailout deal are formulated."

Some ministers leaving the 7-hour cabinet meeting said they had expressed criticism of the decision but decided to support the government ahead of a key confidence vote in parliament.</div>

[Poll_Blind]

1. Ok, THAT is surprising. Aye, aye, aye things are going to be heating up! nt

PB

[tama]

2. What was the real meaning

of the Defence Minister suddenly changing all the top brass of Greek Army?

One thing the Papandreou family dynasty has close personal experience of in three generations is the Greek Junta & CIA taking over when Greek democracy became too threatening to certain "foreign interests".

Other than that event, I have a feeling that Papandreou told his cabinet the meaning of the OXI-day when Metaxas said NO to Mussolini, and he wants to give Greek people the opportunity to say NO to IMF. And explained his cabinet what CDS means - something that he himself didn't know when he became PM.

[DCBob]

3. Interesting turn of events.

This may turn out just fine if the referendum passes... at least short term... crisis averted.

[Lionessa]

4. Current polls show over 60% are against the EU demands.

So I guess by your way of thinking this won't turn out just fine.

[DCBob]

5. can you post a link that refers to these "current polls"?

thanks.

[Lionessa]

7. Here

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/01/greece-referendum-idUSL5E7M100120111101

-snip-
"This is going to bring back volatility and uncertainty in the market and essentially erase all the efforts made by the EU to make a deal," said Kathy Lien, director of currency research at GFT Forex, New Jersey.

"... with 60 percent against it, getting this passed will be a challenge, if passed it will provide extreme relief but given the protests and opposition it will be very difficult."

The immediate market reaction to the announcement was negative, the euro extending losses against the dollar and tumbling more than 2 percent to a session low.
-snip-

Reuters had one earlier yesterday that said a poll of 68%, or I suppose I assume a poll has been done when they state something to the effect of "with 68% of Greeks being against the referendum,...", but I can't find that article now.

[DCBob]

10. I guess it depends how the referendum is worded and defined..

They will probably make it clear that a no vote on the referendum will result in much worse effects on the Greek people than a yes vote.

[sabrina 1]

6. Good, I couldn't believe anyone was talking about getting rid of

him when all he was suggesting was DEMOCRACY. Something the IMF gang do not recognize, and have said so pretty blatantly. The sheer arrogance of Sarkozy and Berkel and Geithner and all those involved in making these 'austerity' decisions that have plunged so many into total disaster and despair, despite the will of their people, is just stunning.

I hope all of them are kicked out of office and a whole new world begins to take shape and that this kind of rampant greed is totally reigned in and never allowed to happen again. All their wars and other profiteering ventures too, the people of the world are not enemies, THEY are the enemies.

Poor Sarkozy, he was so sure he was going to get what he wanted despite what it would do to the Greek people.

I did read however, that Merkel may have known about this. But whatever the reason, the people do have a right to make decisions about their own lives.

[MedleyMisty]

8. Found a Greek blog today

Here's a post on the issue.

http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2011/11/01/the-referendum-as-a-pacifier/

The news has arrived, that for the first time since the end of its military rule, the Greek government will be holding a referendum to ratify the agreement off the latest debt deal. Many are stunned: why risk a done deal, why give voice to the people, risking blowing everything up?

Power did not arrive to this decision light-heartedly. But the decision for a referendum might, by this point, have been one of its last bastions against a turmoil that was promising to turn into an uncontrollable popular revolt. The military parades-turn-parades-of-anger on October 28th. The unfolding of one political slogan after the other across football stadiums in Greece. Too many were waking up, too fast.

The referendum is a last-ditch attempt by power to take back control, to take the decisive factor away from the streets and back into the comfortably safe mechanisms of bourgeois democracy. “Do you agree, do you disagree?” “Heck, that matters little, just talk to us!”

For a political order seeing its discourse dismantled in the streets, the seething anger of so many turn against it as a whole, the image must have been a terrifying one. Its subjects have been thrown the promise of a treat, to make the howling stop. Will the trick work?

They seem to think that it won't be fair, that the question will be phrased in such a way as to push people to vote yes. And based on our own experiences here - who even knows if all the votes will be counted or if everyone will be allowed to vote.

[Lionessa]

9. I agree perfection and all aren't guaranteed, and I totally embrace the disillusionment, but...

it's none the less a public, very public bowing to the concept that the people should have a say in these matters. Tricks, fraud, all manner can still go wrong. Let's just see.

I remember the attitude like yours when Chavez tried to pass a ruling to allow him unlimited terms, and instead it failed and he has let it go. Of course the day hasn't arrived, but he hasn't seemed to do anything in retribution or any back door thing. Democracy worked and seems to have been honored.

Could the pressure in Greece and worldwide become so great between now and then that they dare not mess with it? We can also hope for that.

PS I know "hope" is almost a dirty word at this point, but (yes, always a "but") things are clearly different in NY, in many cities nationally, internationally, even women in Arab countries protesting in full blown burkas; sorry, but things feel a little different lately, and I'm starting to consider hoping again.