Millions of Greeks headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in a crucial referendum on whether to accept the terms of a bailout deal proposed by the country's creditors. In voting stations across the country Greeks decided between a "No" vote that would reject the deal and potentially pave the way for a Greek exit from the eurozone, or a "Yes" vote that would lead to a possible capitulation by the Greek government and acceptance of austerity measures in exchange for a bailout.
The vote was announced just eight days ago, and there has been a week of heated campaigning on both sides. Greece's government has urged voters to opt for a "No" vote, saying that it would give them more bargaining power to reach a better debt deal. European leaders have insisted that a "Yes" vote is the only way to keep Greece in the eurozone, and that the country risks financial disaster otherwise.
Critics have also warned that it's not crystal clear what Greeks are voting on exactly. The question posed at the ballot box is a 72-word-long soup of economic terms with unclear implications. In addition to the vague question, the short lead up to the referendum has led to warnings from human rights groups that the vote falls short of proper international standards.
Greece owes billions to its creditors and lacks the funds to pay off these debts. Months of negotiations between Greece and the so-called troika of creditors that includes the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Commission have failed to produce a bailout deal.
