In the name of ‘the people’? Popular Sovereignty and the 2015 Greek referendum

Abstract

This article explores the rise of new conflicts of sovereignty especially with regard to popular sovereignty in the EU polity. It asks whether referenda in the national realm are effective tools to enhance popular sovereignty at supranational level. To elucidate this question, we distinguish between embedded and unilateral referenda. Empirically, the paper focuses on the referendum called by the Greek government on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding in 2015. While ambiguous from the outset, the referendum turned out to be of an embedded nature and failed to enhance popular sovereignty. Based on elite interviews and analysis of the discussion in the media, our analysis shows that the referendum was envisaged by the Greek government instrumentally to put pressure on the other negotiating parties and tackle internal party disagreements. This turned out to be a selfdefeating strategy ignoring the popular mandate and failing to improve the conditions for financial assistance.

Asymmetric ratification standards and popular perceptions of legitimacy

“…Accordingly, it argues that the international integration of liberal democracy generates the need for supranational rules and procedures that ensure the effective protection of joined demoi-cratic rights. While the institutional implications of demoi-cracy are still underspecified (Crespy & Ladi, 2019), demoi-cratic theory makes some explicit statements on legitimate representation.…”

Public support for the European solidarity deal in EU debtor states: the case of Greece

“…The austerity referendum took place only one week after its announcement in a highly polarized political climate. Its instrumental purpose of strengthening the government's bargaining position was criticized, while its unclear formulation and the listing of the no answer ahead of the yes option on the ballot raised doubts about the legitimacy of the result (Crespy and Ladi 2019;Featherstone 2016, 54-55;Sygkelos 2015). The no vote gained 61.3% showing that a majority of the Greeks did not support the current solidarity deal with its austerity plan and were not willing to uphold their part of the agreement.…”