After five months of fruitless negotiations, relations between Greece and its creditors crumbled further Saturday after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stunned them by calling for a referendum on the proposed reforms needed to get bailout loans.
The radical left-wing leader accused the creditors of using blackmail and ultimatums against his proud but struggling people. European officials called his move for a vote a foolish and rash gambit that effectively ended negotiations to keep Greece financially afloat.
