Greek debt crisis: Major rallies due ahead of vote

PM Alexis Tsipras is expected to be at one rally to support the "No" vote, opposing the terms.

EU leaders have warned that a "No" vote could see Greece leave the eurozone.

This has been a lightning campaign. Greece has been in deadlock with its creditors for months but only called the referendum last week.

'Rock bottom'

The BBC's Chris Morris in Athens says there has been no referendum campaigning as such - just a few chaotic days as supporters and opponents of the governing Syriza party have jostled for position.

Campaigners are now racing to reach voters before time runs out, with "Yes" and "No" posters vying for space in Athens.

On Friday, competing rallies are expected to be held in Athens city centre. Our correspondent says they will try to define what the referendum is really about.

One undecided voter, Costas Christoforidis, told AP: "If it's saying 'No' to austerity, then it's a 'No' from me too. But if we are rejecting Europe, I disagree with that."

Many protesters have already taken to the streets in the past days. Some 6,000 Greek Communist Party supporters held a demonstration on Thursday, calling on referendum voters to cast invalid ballots.

Brief scuffles broke out between riot police and a small group of demonstrators.

A "No" rally took place at the city's university, attracting more than 1,000 people.

However, despite the campaigning, there is still a chance the referendum may yet be suspended.

Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, is due to decide on the legality of Sunday's vote - whether it breaches the constitution.

 

(BBC)