Das griechische Referendum von 2015 über die Konditionen der Euro-Gruppe
The Greek Referendum of 2015 on the Conditions of the Eurogroup

Conciliation in Resignation

Summary/Abstract: On 5 July 2015, Greek voters were presented with a referendum on the austerity policy that the European institutions demanded Greece should implement. Over 60 percent voted with ‘No’. But the Greek government of then-Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras did not act according to this outcome. The paper argues that the memorandum nonetheless revealed a consensus among Greeks that their country should remain a member of the euro zone and the European Union. It therefore contributed to a resigned conciliation of contrary societal forces under catastrophic economic conditions. The paper develops this hypothesis by analyzing the political and economic circumstances of the referendum and the national remembrance culture which was activated during the referendum´s campaign. In addition, possible motives that led to Tsipras´ government proclaiming the referendum are discussed, especially in the field of party politics. The question of constitutionality is also addressed, as is the repeat victory of SYRIZA in the parliamentary elections of September 2015.

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