Merkel "unites" all parties

What had not been feasible in the past two weeks occured within an hour, when all parties reacted to Mrs Merkel's proposal for a referendum so that the Greeks can decide whether they want to stay in the Eurozone.

"An unfortunate statement giving the wrong message and with bad timing" said Mr.Samaras from ND, underlining that "the Greeks do not need a referendum to prove their will to stay in the euro. Greeks should have the respect of the other members of the EU".

"Greece is not a protectorate" said SYRIZA president Mr.Tsipras, stating that he is confident the Greek people will give Mrs Merkel a negative answer in the elections of June 17th and will end all Memorandums of austerity, slavery and indignity.

In a mild announcement without any negative comments towards Mrs Merkel, PASOK said that "a referendum is solely the decision of the Greek Parliament and not the EU or other governments. So there is no question of having one".

Mr. Kammenos, president of the Independent Greeks, said that "If Germany wants to have their referendum in their country, that is fine with us".

The Greek Communist Party, KKE, said that "we reject and refuse to succumb to the blackmail of the referendum that Mrs Merkel proposed".

The Democratic Left announced they are sensing an effort of intimidation from the German side. "It is an unacceptable action, especially in such difficult times for Greece".

The question on the table is who has benefited and who has lost from Mrs Merkel's proposal. At first glance the "anti-memorandum" parties have won, although a clarification on Mrs Merkel's part is necessary as to what was said and meant. Why does she deny the statement? Why does the Greek government insist she proposed it?