July 5, 2015, became a historic day in Greece’s modern history. The results of the Greek referendum (“Greferendum”) may plunge the country into a deep economic crisis or become a springboard for an economic miracle – no one can say for sure now. But Greeks will remember this day for years – the day when they took full responsibility for their future.
Ten million Greeks were eligible to vote for or against a set of austerity measures proposed by international creditors in exchange for financial assistance.
Above: "No" supporters celebrate referendum results on a street in central in Athens, Greece July 5, 2015.
Above: "No" supporters celebrate referendum results on a street in central in Athens, Greece July 5, 2015.
The 62.5-percent turnout surpassed the required minimum of 40 percent and reached the level of the snap parliamentary elections in January.
Above: Greek parliament's president and Syriza party member, Zoe Kostantopoulou (C) embraces a 'No' supporter, as she joins the celebrations in front of the parliament late in Athens on July 5, 2015.
Above: Greek parliament's president and Syriza party member, Zoe Kostantopoulou (C) embraces a 'No' supporter, as she joins the celebrations in front of the parliament late in Athens on July 5, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Petros Karadjias
Above: Supporters of the No vote dance after the first results of the referendum at Syntagma square in Athens, July 5, 2015.
The “Greferendum” was announced by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on June 27 and a day later approved by the president and the parliament.
Above: Riot police detain masked youth during minor clashes in central Athens, Greece early July 6, 2015.
Above: Riot police detain masked youth during minor clashes in central Athens, Greece early July 6, 2015.
Tsipras, as well as his team, promised to step down should Greeks support the proposed deal.
Above: People light red flares while celebrating the 'No' victory in the Greek referendum late in Athens on July 5, 2015.
Above: People light red flares while celebrating the 'No' victory in the Greek referendum late in Athens on July 5, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris
Above: Young girls wave Greek flags as supporters of the No vote react after the first results of the referendum at Syntagma square in Athens, July 5, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris
Alexis Tsipras advocated the “No-vote” and hoped that it would help Greece secure better leverage in talks with the creditors.
Above: Supporters of the "No-vote" react after the first results of the referendum at Syntagma square in Athens, Sunday, July 5, 2015.
Above: Supporters of the "No-vote" react after the first results of the referendum at Syntagma square in Athens, Sunday, July 5, 2015.
Tsipras’ predecessor Antonis Samaras called the referendum a mistake and warned that negative voting would expel Greece from the Eurozone.
Above: A petrol bomb explodes next to riot police during minor clashes in central Athens, Greece early July 6, 2015.
Above: A petrol bomb explodes next to riot police during minor clashes in central Athens, Greece early July 6, 2015.
Opinion polls conducted on the eve of the referendum showed that Greek society was split: the “Yes” and “No” positions ran neck and neck, having a narrow lead in different surveys.
Above: People celebrate in Athens on July 5, 2015 after the first exit-polls of the Greek referendum.
Above: People celebrate in Athens on July 5, 2015 after the first exit-polls of the Greek referendum.
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© AP Photo / Petros Karadjias
In the historic referendum, 61.31 percent of Greeks voted against the deal; 38.69 percent voted in its favor.
Above: Results of the referendum are projected on the wall of the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens, Sunday, July 5, 2015.
Above: Results of the referendum are projected on the wall of the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens, Sunday, July 5, 2015.
Alexis Tsipras praised the referendum, describing it as a victory of democracy, whereas Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem said the vote was “regrettable”.
Above: "No" supporters celebrate referendum results on a street in central Athens, Greece July 5, 2015.
Above: "No" supporters celebrate referendum results on a street in central Athens, Greece July 5, 2015.
Whatever the consequences will be, the referendum certainly started a new page in Greek history.
Above: A general view shows anti-austerity "No" voters who gathered to celebrate in front of the Greek parliament in Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece July 5, 2015.
Above: A general view shows anti-austerity "No" voters who gathered to celebrate in front of the Greek parliament in Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece July 5, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Petros Karadjias
Above: Supporters of the "No" vote celebrate after the results of the referendum in Synatagma square in central Athens, July 5, 2015.
