Greek referendum News

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras warned Friday that a German proposal to give his debt-ridden country a bridging loan rather than agree a new bailout would be "a return to a crisis without end".

Final opinion polls released after the end of voting in Greece`s referendum showed the `No` vote leading by a small margin in Sunday`s vote on a bailout proposal from creditors.

Greece voted in a tightly fought referendum Sunday that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said will determine its "destiny" in the eurozone, as the EU country teetered on the brink of financial collapse.

Athens wants a tax amnesty deal for Greeks who have stashed cash in Swiss banks, in a bid to bring much-needed revenue to the debt-laden country, a Swiss newspaper reported Sunday.

Greeks were hoarding cash and food amid mounting fears the economy could collapse, cracking open their wallets only to stock up on essentials and stripping supermarket shelves in the process.

Greece is set to vote in a referendum on Sunday to decide whether to accept the debt draft deal with international creditors to restart financial aid to the country, or to reject the lenders` programme that requires Greeks to accept further austerity measures and economic reforms.

EU leaders have warned that a `No` victory could cause Greece to crash out of the eurozone.

The EU and IMF heaped pressure on Greece Thursday, warning of the perilous state of the country`s finances, days ahead of a controversial referendum that could determine its future in the eurozone.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said the government "may very well" quit if the public went against it in Sunday's plebiscite and voted for more austerity in return for international bailout funds.

But after they were blindsided by Tsipras`s surprise middle-of-the-night announcement that he rejected their offer and would put it to voters only after Tuesday`s deadline, several said all that remained to discuss was "Plan B" - how to limit the damage.