Graffitti and members of the Greek community in Malta today held a gathering to express its solidarity with Greeks and its support for a social Europe.

Greeks will tomorrow vote in a referendum on whether to accept or reject the austerity measures imposed by the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank as a condition for a bailout.

Graffitti said: “We support the decision of the Greek government to hold a referendum on this matter and unreservedly condemn all efforts by European and international institutions to undermine the Greek democratic process.

This referendum should serve as a breath of fresh air to all Europeans as it contrasts with the top-down imposition of economic measures from unelected powers that we have become accustomed to.

“The European Central Banks’s decision to stop liquidity to Greek banks and the bellicose declarations from European figures point to an increasingly authoritarian Europe where the neoliberal ideology of giving power to markets and those holding financial strength is becoming dominant. We augur that, notwithstanding all this pressure and blackmail, the Greeks will vote NO to more austerity measures that are destroying their country,” it said.

The money the institutions loaned Greece since 2010 was under conditions that made the Greek economy shrink, drove tens of thousands into poverty and drastically increased unemployment, Graffitti said.

It added that it was clear from the beginning that Greece would have never been in a position to return the money, which was used as a political tool to impose on Greece specific economic measures based on a neoliberal ideology.

Graffiti pointed out that none of the money loaned reached the Greek population since this was used to save European banks that had given money to corrupt Greek governments.

“It’s ironic that the political figures and parties that had led those Greek governments are now calling for a Yes vote to austerity measures,” it said.

It noted with disappointment the Maltese government’s support to measures detrimental to Greek society and economy.

“In contrast to this, today we are here to show our stance in favour of a democratic Europe which values social justice,” Graffitti said.