Economic chaos: Poll shows tight Greek referendum on financial crisis

Supporters of Greece’s bailout terms have taken a wafer-thin lead over the “no” vote backed by the leftist government, 48 hours before a referendum that may determine the country’s future in the eurozone, a poll showed. The opinion poll put the “yes” camp on 44.8 percent, against 43.4 percent for the “no” vote, well within the pollster’s 3.1-percentage-point margin of error, with 11.8 percent saying they are still undecided. With banks shuttered all week, cash withdrawals rationed and commerce seizing up, the vote could decide whether Greece gets another last-ditch financial rescue in exchange for more harsh austerity measures or plunges deeper into economic crisis. It could also determine whether Greece becomes the first country to crash out of the 19-nation European single-currency area, membership of which is meant to be irrevocable.

People have lost it completely. And it’s all the fault, 100 percent, of all the politicians. They are to blame for the situation we are in now.

Thanos Stamou, Greek pensioner

Days after Athens defaulted on an International Monetary Fund loan repayment, the IMF said Greece needs an extra 50 billion euros over the next three years, including 36 billion from its European partners, to stay afloat. It also needs significant debt relief. Details of the IMF report emerged as police clashed with far-left protesters in Athens Thursday night. Officers used tear gas and pepper spray to stop demonstrators trying to storm EU offices in the capital. The IMF report has slashed Greece’s 2015 economic growth forecast to 0 percent, from 2.5 percent forecast in April.