Declaration of 246 Economics Professors at Greek Universities on Referendum & Importance of YES Vote

The following declaration, which is signed by 246 professors of Economics Schools and Universities across  Greece, and which was first published on kathimerini, explains why they are going to vote YES at this Sunday's referendum.

     By this declaration, we want to express our great distress about the latest developments in our country. We strongly believe that, at this crucial point, it is of paramount importance to avoid excesses, to show national cohesion, to preserve our position in the Eurozone and the EU, and to regain our credibility in the international community. Further, the fiscal consolidation program, drawn jointly with our EU partners and other creditors like the IMF, should be characterized by the lowest possible recessionary consequences and the highest possible level of social protection, aiming at growth and job creation in the private sector as soon as possible. The prolonged political uncertainty has led the economy to a renewed recession, has reversed the decline in unemployment, has lowered tax revenue and has widened the fiscal gap.
     Taking into account that the proposals of our creditors and the Greek government were converging until last Friday, we believe that what is really at stake in the coming Referendum, irrespective of the precise formulation of the question, is whether Greece will remain, or not, in the Eurozone and, possibly, whether it will remain in the EU itself.
     The funding of the Greek economy by Eurozone countries was suspended last weekend after the Greek government abandoned the negotiations at a time when no alternative funding opportunities seem to be available. We are already at the first stage of a very slippery process that, if not urgently reversed, will lead to a chaotic debt default and exit from the Eurozone. Bank closures and capital controls (that had been so far avoided throughout the deep crisis) constitute only the first rupture from the Eurozone and the EU itself
     We believe that the recessionary consequences of debt default and exit from the Eurozone, especially in such a chaotic and superficial way, will be much worse than the effects of a painful compromise with our EU partners and the IMF. A disorderly break of our country from the core of Europe will have disastrous economic, social, political and geopolitical consequences.
     Short-run consequences: Bank closures, cut in the value of deposits, sharp decline in tourism, shortages of basic consumer goods and raw materials, black market, hyperinflation, firm bankruptcies and a big rise in unemployment, rapid fall in real wages and the real value of pensions, deep recession and serious problems in the functioning of public health care and defense, social unrest.
     Medium-term consequences: international isolation of the country, no access to international capital markets for several years, low growth and anemic investment, high unemployment combined with high inflation rates, suspension of the flow of EU structural funds, significant decline in the standard of living, poor provision of basic public goods and services.
     All these developments should not have happened after 5 years of big sacrifices by the Greek people, and a tremendous fiscal adjustment, right at the time when the economy was starting to recover, with favourable expectations for further easing in the terms of our public debt obligations. They should not have happened in a period when the European economy is returning to positive growth rates and other peripheral euro countries start growing and reducing unemployment. They should not have happened in a favorable time for further EU integration that will benefit the South and when the ECB facilitates growth with excess liquidity and zero interest rates.
     Leaving the Eurozone, especially with this chaotic and superficial way, would likely lead to a process of leaving the EU too, with unpredictable and disastrous consequences for the national security and the democratic stability of our country.
     For all these reasons, Greece must remain in the core of the EU, which is the Eurozone.
     For all these reasons, our unequivocal answer to the real question of the referendum is: YES. Yes, to Europe.

1. Adam Αntonis University of Ioannina
2. Aggelidis Timotheos University of Peloponnese
3. Alexakis Christos University of Pireaus
4. Alexakis Panagiotis Athens University
5. Anagnostou Aggeliki University of Thessaly
6. Andoniou Fabio University of Ioannina
7. Andronikidis Αndreas University of Macedonia
8. Androutsopoulos Ion Athens University of Economics and Business
9. Androutsopoulos Κonstantinos Athens University of Economics and Business
10. Apergis Νikolaos University of Pireaus
11. Apostolopoulos Thodoros Athens University of Economics and Business
12. Argouslidis Paris Athens University of Economics and Business
13. Arvanitis Stelios Athens University of Economics and Business
14. Atsalakis George Polytechnic of Crete
15. Avlonitis George Athens University of Economics and Business
16. Balios Dimitris Athens University
17. Ballas Apostolos Athens University of Economics and Business
18. Baltas Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
19. Baltas Nikolaos Athens University of Economics and Business
20. Basiakos Ioannis Athens University
21. Bellou Victoria University of Thessaly
22. Benos Nikos University of Ioannina
23. Benos Theofanis University of Pireaus
24. Billias Ioannis Athens University of Economics and Business
25. Bitros Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
26. Blavoukos Spyros Athens University of Economics and Business
27. Bourantas Dimitris Athens University of Economics and Business
28. Bourantonis Dimitris Athens University of Economics and Business
29. Bournova Eugenia Athens University
30. Brisimis Sofoklis University of Pireaus
31. Chalamandaris George Athens University of Economics and Business
32. Chalkias Ioannis Athens University of Economics and Business
33. Charitakis Nikos Athens University
34. Chletsos Michael University of Ioannina
35. Chlomoudis Kostas University of Pireaus
36. Chortareas George Athens University
37. Chouliaras Asteris University of Peloponnese
38. Christopoulos Dimitris Panteion University
39. Christopoulou Sofia University of Macedonia
40. Christou George Athens University of Economics and Business
41. Damianos Dimitris Agricultural University of Athens
42. Dedoulis Manolis Athens University of Economics and Business
43. Delipalla Sofia University of Macedonia
44. Demoirakos Efthymios Athens University of Economics and Business
45. Demos Antonis Athens University of Economics and Business
46. Demousis Michalis University of Patras
47. Dialla Violetta Athens University
48. Dimeli Sofia Athens University of Economics and Business
49. Dimitriadi Zoi University of Macedonia
50. Dotsis Georgios Athens University
51. Doukidis Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
52. Drakos Anastasios Athens University of Economics and Business
53. Economides George Athens University of Economics and Business
54. Economidou Claire University of Pireaus
55. Economou Athina University of Thessaly
56. Efstratoglou Sofia Agricultural University of Athens
57. Eleftheriou Kostas University of Pireaus
58. Fountas Stylianos University of Macedonia
59. Gaganis Chrysovalantis Univiversity of Crete
60. Gatsios Konstantinos Athens University of Economics and Business
61. Genakos Christos Athens University of Economics and Business
62. Genius Margarita University of Crete
63. Georgiou Andreas University of Macedonia
64. Georgoutsos Dimitrios Athens University of Economics and Business
65. Giaglis Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
66. Giamouridis Daniel Athens University of Economics and Business
67. Giannakopoulos Nikos University of Patras
68. Giannelis Dimitrios University of Pireaus
69. Giannelis Νikos University of Crete
70. Giotopoulos Ioannis University of Peloponnese
71. Glavinis Panayotis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
72. Griva Krina University of Ioannina
73. Hassid Josef University of Pireaus
74. Hatziantoniou Damianos Athens University of Economics and Business
75. Hatzipanayotou Panos Athens University of Economics and Business
76. Hatzis Aristides Athens University
77. Iatridis George University of Thessaly
78. Ifantopoulos Ioannis Athens University
79. Indounas Konstantinos Athens University of Economics and Business
80. Ioannidis Antonis Athens University of Economics and Business
81. Ioannidis Stavros Panteion University
82. Ioannou Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
83. Iordanoglou Chrysafis Panteion University
84. Ireiotis Nikolaos Athens University
85. Kainourgios Dimitris Athens University
86. Kalamboukis Theodoros Athens University of Economics and Business
87. Kalogirou Ioannis Metsovio Polytechnic University
88. Kalyvitis Sarantis Athens University of Economics and Business
89. Kammas Pantelis University of Ioannina
90. Karagiannis Ioannis University of Macedonia
91. Karamanis Konstantinos Athens University of Economics and Business
92. Karaveli Eleni Athens University of Economics and Business
93. Karkalakos Sotiris University of Pireaus
94. Kasimatis Konstantinos Athens University of Economics and Business
95. Katranidis Stelios University of Macedonia
96. Katsimi Margarita Athens University of Economics and Business
97. Kavousanos Emmanouil Athens University of Economics and Business
98. Kazakos Panos Athens University
99. Koen Sandra Athens University of Economics and Business
100. Kollias Christos University of Thessaly
101. Konstantinou Panagiotis Athens University of Economics and Business
102. Konstantopoulos Panos Athens University of Economics and Business
103. Kontouli Maria University of Peloponnese
104. Korliras Panagiotis Athens University of Economics and Business
105. Kosteletou Nikolina  Athens University
106. Kostis Kostas Athens University
107. Kotsios Stelios Athens University
108. Kottaridi Konstantina University of Pireaus
109. Koundouri Phoebe Athens University of Economics and Business
110. Kouretas Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
111. Kritikos Manolis Athens University of Economics and Business
112. Kyriazidou Katerina Athens University of Economics and Business
113. Kyriazis Nikolaos University of Thessaly
114. Kyriazis Dimitris University of Pireaus
115. Kyritsis Ioannis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
116. Kyrkillis Dimitris University of Macedonia
117. Ladi Stella Panteion University
118. Lekakos Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
119. Leledakis Georgios Athens University of Economics and Business
120. Leventakis Ioannis Athens University of Economics and Business
121. Liargovas Panagiotis University of Peloponnese
122. Liaropoulos Lykourgos Athens University
123. Loizidis Ioannis Athens University of Economics and Business
124. Lolos Sarantis Panteion University
125. Louri Eleni Athens University of Economics and Business
126. Louridas Pangiotis Athens University of Economics and Business
127. Malevris Nikos Athens University of Economics and Business
128. Malliaris Petros University of Pireaus
129. Matsagganis Manos Athens University of Economics and Business
130. Mergos Giorgos University of Athens
131. Metaxas Theodoros University of Thessaly
132. Miaouli Natasha Athens University of Economics and Business
133. Milliou Chrisovalantou Athens University of Economics and Business
134. Mylonas Nikolaos Athens University
135. Mylonidis Nikos University of Ioannina
136. Nikas Christos University of Macedonia
137. Nikolaou Ioannis Athens University of Economics and Business
138. Nikoleris Theodoros Athens University
139. Nikolopoulos Andreas Athens University of Economics and Business
140. Nikolotsa Daphni University of Crete
141. O’Donnel Owen University of Macedonia
142. Pagkratis Spiros Athens University of Economics and Business
143. Pagoulatos Giorgos Athens University of Economics and Business
144. Palis Thanos Aegean University
145. Palivos Theodoros Athens University of Economics and Business
146. Panagiotopoulou Lida Athens University of Economics and Business
147. Panagiotou Dimitris University of Ioannina
148. Panagopoulos Andreas University of Crete
149. Pantelides Theologos University of Macedonia
150. Papachristou Giorgos Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
151. Papadakis Vassilios Athens University of Economics and Business
152. Papadamou Stephanos University of Thessaly
153. Papadimitriou Stratos University of Pireaus
154. Papadopoulos Hrisoleon Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
155. Papadopoulos Konstantinos Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
156. Papalexandri Nancy Athens University of Economics and Business
157. Papanastasopoulos Giorgos University of Pireaus
158. Papandreou Andreas Athens University
159. Papapanagos Harris University of Macedonia
160. Papastathopoulou Polina Athens University of Economics and Business
161. Papathanassiou Iason University of Macedonia
162. Papavasiliou Nikolaos Athens University of Economics and Business
163. Papoulias Dimitris Athens University
164. Paraskevopoulos Christos University of Macedonia
165. Pasiouras Photis Polytechnic of Crete
166. Patronis Vassilios University of Patras
167. Patsouratis Vassilis Athens University of Economics and Business
168. Pechlivanos Lampros Athens University of Economics and Business
169. Peka Oikonomou University of Pireaus
170. Pelagides Thodoris University of Pireaus
171. Petrakis Manolis University of Crete
172. Petridou Evgenia Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
173. Philippopoulos Apostolis Athens University of Economics and Business
174. Pittis Nikitas University of Pireaus
175. Polemis Michalis University of Pireaus
176. Pollalis Ioannis University of Pireaus
177. Pournarakis Efthimios Athens University of Economics and Business
178. Pragidis Ioannis Democritus University of Thrace
179. Pramatari Katerina Athens University of Economics and Business
180. Psaltopoulos Dimitris University of Patras
181. Psarianos Jacob University of Thessaly
182. Psillaki Maria University of Pireaus
183. Raikou Katerina University of Pireaus
184. Repas Panagiotis Panteion University
185. Repoussis Panagiotis Athens University of Economics and Business
186. Riginos Michalis Athens University
187. Rigopoulou Eirini Athens University of Economics and Business
188. Roumanias Kostas Athens University of Economics and Business
189. Sakellaris Ploutarxos Athens University of Economics and Business
190. Sakellis Yiannis Panteion University
191. Samitas Aristides Aegean University
192. Sarris Alexandros Athens University
193. Sartzetakis Efthimios University of Macedonia
194. Sideropoulos Moissis Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
195. Siourounis Grigoris Panteion University
196. Siris Vasilios Athens University of Economics and Business
197. Sklavou Helen Athens University of Economics and Business
198. Sklias Pantelis University of Peloponnese
199. Skordile Sofia Harokopio University
200. Skountzos Theodoros University of Pireaus
201. Skouras Athanassios Athens University of Economics and Business
202. Skouras Dimitris University of Patras
203. Skouras Spyros Athens University of Economics and Business
204. Soderquist Klas Athens University of Economics and Business
205. Sorros Ιoannis University of Pireaus
206. Sotiropoulos Dimitris  Athens University
207. Spinellis Diomidis Athens University of Economics and Business
208. Spyrou Spyros Athens University of Economics and Business
209. Stamatopoulos George University of Crete
210. Stathakopoulos Vlasios Athens University of Economics and Business
211. Stavrakoudis Athanassios University of Ioannina
212. Symeonidis Spyros University of Ioannina
213. Tarantilis Christos Athens University of Economics and Business
214. Tatsos Nikos Panteion University
215. Thalassinos Lefteris University of Pireaus
216. Thomadakis Stavros Athens University
217. Thomakos Dimitrios University of Peloponnese
218. Tinios Plato University of Pireaus
219. Topaloglou Nicholas Athens University of Economics and Business
220. Toumpis Stauros Athens University of Economics and Business
221. Tragaki Alexandra Harokopio University
222. Tsakanikas Angelos Metsovio Polytechnic University
223. Tsakiris Nikos University of Ioannina
224. Tsakloglou Panos Athens University of Economics and Business
225. Tsamourgelis Ioannis Aegean University
226. Tsintzos Panagiotis Democritus University of Thrace
227. Tsionas Efthymios Athens University of Economics and Business
228. Tsipouri Lena Athens University
229. Tsiritakis Emmanuel University of Pireaus
230. Tsoukalis Loukas Athens University
231. Tzavalis Elias Athens University of Economics and Business
232. Tzelepis Dimitrios University of Patras
233. Tzionas Ioannis University of Macedonia
234. Tzouvelekas Vangelis University of Crete
235. Vakola Maria Athens University of Economics and Business
236. Varsakelis Νikos Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
237. Vassilatos Vaggelis Athens University of Economics and Business
238. Veletzas Κostas University of Macedonia
239. Venetis Ioannis University of Patras
240. Vettas Νikolaos Athens University of Economics and Business
241. Voudouri Irini Athens University of Economics and Business
242. Xanthakis Manolis Athens University
243. Xepapadeas Tasos Athens University of Economics and Business
244. Zacharias Lefteris Athens University of Economics and Business
245. Zopounidis Konstantinos Polytechnic of Crete
246. Zoumboulakis Michalis University of Thessaly

*first published on kathimerini