Brexit Vote Renews Fears of a 'Grexit' in Greece

Published June 27, 2016 at 12:33 PM EDT

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Farmers demonstrate outside the Greek parliament during a protest against pension reform and tax issues, on February 12, 2016.
Fears that Greece will exit the eurozone, a "Grexit", could revive if Greek authorities do not come up with "credible" reforms, notably on pensions, a senior IMF official said February 11. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) — Farmers demonstrate outside the Greek parliament during a protest against pension reform and tax issues, on February 12, 2016. Fears that Greece will exit the eurozone, a "Grexit", could revive if Greek authorities do not come up with "credible" reforms, notably on pensions, a senior IMF official said February 11. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Following markets around the world, Greece’s already fragile economy plunged upon news that the United Kingdom voted Thursday to leave the European Union. Their “Brexit” vote has reignited calls for a “Grexit” among some Greeks. But while polls find many Greeks have an unfavorable opinion of the EU, most—including the administration of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras— want to stay.

That could change, however, as the impacts of Britain’s vote continue to ripple across Europe. Greece’s sizable tourism industry, for example, depends heavily on British vacationers, who now have considerably less purchasing power abroad.

Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson gets the Greek view of Brexit from NPR contributor Joanna Kakissis in Athens.

Guest

Joanna Kakissis, NPR contributor, based in Athens. She tweets at @joannakakissis.