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Referendum could decide Greece's EU future
Last Updated: 2015-05-31 15:27 | CNTV.cn
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Athens is still struggling to come to terms with its creditors and now the government is considering giving the Greek citizens the final say. People could potentially vote for or against a deal with the creditors and whether the country remains in the Eurozone.

Almost four years after Greece has rejected the idea of a referendum, the idea seemed to have returned. Although, the country's elected leftist government demanded relief, Germany's finance minister recently suggested that Greek voters may need a referendum to approve and implement financial reforms if they want the bailout funding to continue.

"Creditors continue to come here because they believe that Greece is the gold chicken that still has money.We should take advantage of it and reach a comprehensive agreement,which will be the start for development.We are close and we can have an agreement during May. So, neither a referendum nor elections are needed," said Dimitris Tsoukalas, general secretary of Administrative Reform.

Even some of the government's lawmakers insist that if a deal is not reached, Greeks could decide for the country's future.

A deal with lenders has proved elusive despite months of talks because of Tsipras's refusal to bow to demands for additional pension cuts and labor reforms.

"An agreement is needed. Extreme ways of thinking are not useful.The government should go a step back, the lenders should do the same," said a resident.

"We have no idea on the agreement. We have no idea of anything. We know nothing specific," said a resident.

Nevertheless, a recent poll for SKAI TV, showed that despite coalition government's efforts to reach a better deal than the previous one, 34% of people said that their financial status has become worse since December 2014.

Public support for economic reforms might lead Greece toward a deal, while rejection could lead the country to search for other solutions.The closer a deal is, the less possible a referendum is. What is for sure, is that new measures are yet to come.

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