This EPIN Commentary argues that although the referendum in Greece this weekend (July 5th) probably defies some constitutional principles, its political instrumentalisation by all interested parties, may be the only way to keep negotiations alive and come up with new proposals. While until now the Greek government actively campaigned for a NO vote, the course of the pre-referendum negotiation could transform the impact of a YES vote, allowing Tsipras either to preserve its political capital and temporarily leave Greek politics (in case negotiations fail), or to accelerate the process of SYRIZA’s ‘normalisation’ as a moderate government party (in case of a new deal).
Filippa Chatzistavrou is Research Fellow at ELIAMEP (Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy) in Athens.
