Greek central bank head warns of 'no' vote suicide

FRANKFURT: Greek central bank Governor and European Central Bank policymaker, George Provopoulos, warned that a 'no' vote by Greek politicians on the country's austerity measures on Wednesday would be "suicide".

Greece's parliament holds a crucial vote later on whether to submit the country to a fresh wave of unpopular austerity measures as it attempts to avoid a debt default.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Provopoulos sent a stark warning about the consequences if politicians fail to back the plans.

"For parliament to vote against this package would be a crime - the country would be voting for its suicide," he said.

Copyright Reuters, 2011