Greek court rejects referendum appeal
A court in Greece has rejected an appeal against the referendum on whether or not to accept creditors' bailout conditions, due to be held on Sunday.
Two Greeks citizens appealed against the referendum, saying the country's constitution prevents votes on fiscal issues. Critics have also complained that with capital controls in place, many inhabitants of Greek islands may have trouble reaching the places where they are registered to vote in time for the referendum.
But this evening Nikos Sakellariou, president of the council of state, said the vote will "proceed normally" on Sunday.
In the meantime, supporters on both sides of the debate were preparing to step up campaigning a notch this evening with demonstrations in Athens. There were reports riot police had been called in as rivals from both sides clashed.
Earlier in the day Alexis Tsipras, the country's Prime Minister, had made his second appearance on Greek television in as many days to urge people to vote "No".
"I call you to say no to blackmail and ultimatums," he said. "Decide with calm your future."
Tsipras has argued that a no vote will strengthen Greece's case in negotiations with its creditors over bailout terms.
However, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, president of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, had other ideas. Yesterday he attempted to quash the idea Greece would be able to negotiate further after it rejected the terms currently on the table, saying it was an "illusion" which must be "swept from the table".
"If people say they don't want [the creditors' reform package], there is not only no basis for a new programme, there is also no basis for Greece in the Eurozone," he said.