EUROZONE-GREECE/GERMANY CHURCH Greeks in Germany split over bailout referendum

Record ID: 148408

  • Title: EUROZONE-GREECE/GERMANY CHURCH Greeks in Germany split over bailout referendum
  • Date: 5th July 2015
  • Summary: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (JULY 5, 20150 (REUTERS) PEOPLE GATHERED AT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 'PROPHET ELIAS' SIGN, READING (German): "GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 'PROPHET ELIAS'" PEOPLE IN ANTEROOM OF CHURCH, MAN KISSING ICON MAN AND GIRL LIGHTING CANDLES CANDLES BURNING CHURCH SERVICE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (German) POPE (GREEK PASTOR), ATHENAGORAS ZILIASKOPOULOS, SAYING: "We want to
  • Embargoed: 20th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAC6R9WIHCFSIB6604M07AUDPN8
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Greeks living in Germany were divided over how their countrymen should vote in a historic referendum on Sunday (July 5) over the terms of a bailout package.
    Although not allowed take part in voting outside the country, they were very much concerned about the outcome.
    Their religious leader, Pope (Greek pastor) Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos, said that only a union within Europe can guarantee a peaceful coexistence.
    "We want to live in together in Europe, in peace. And only a union can guarantee that. If this union falls apart for economic reasons, the the future is very bleak. Then unity and a peaceful Europe are in jeopardy," Pope Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos said.
    A 'No' vote could mean Greece will lose its membership of the eurozone -- a prospect banker Apostalas Koreas said would spell a "catastrophe".
    "I don't think that Greece is able to survive totally on its own. We are not Venezuela or Cuba, we are in the middle of Europe," he said.
    But bus driver Jorgo Kandilli said his countrymen should stick to their pride:
    "I would vote 'No'," he told Reuters after a church service in the Greek orthodox church in Frankfurt.
    "But I think it will be very tight," he said.
    Pensioner and restaurant owner Muradidis Dimitrios is especially hard hit by the financial crisis, he said he wanted his country to remain in the eurozone.
    "People do not feel safe (in Greece). And they want to stay in Europe and in the eurozone. That is why I think it is better for the Greeks if the vote 'Yes' today."
    A 'Yes' vote could bring down the government of left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
    Koreas said he wanted a new coalition in place, as Tsipras's government lacked experience.
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