Greek no-voters rejected austerity without wanting departure from Europe

Evidence

Several opinion polls after the vote suggested that the majority of those voting oxi did not favor “Grexit” (the severing of all ties with the EU). Images of openness versus exclusion were mobilized in a manner that was a reverse of the United Kingdom’s Brexit referendum, which took place in the following year. Antonis Samaras, the defeated right-wing leader of the opposition, defended a pro-Europe vote by stating in his closing rally before the referendum: “Our world focuses on security—we aim to secure our borders against illegal immigrants. In contrast, Syriza is asking for open borders. They will drive us to anarchy, together with their communist allies in Europe. They will destroy Europe!” — Aris Komporozos-Athanasiou, Speculative Communities, 533