Voters in Greece have been going to the polls in the country’s bailout referendum, as they decide whether to accept a deal offered by international creditors.
Opinion polls suggest the “Yes” and “No” camps are neck-and-neck.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who cast his vote this morning in front of dozens of photographers, has insisted a No vote would allow his government to push for a better bailout package.
The premier has strongly indicated he will step down if the Greek people back the terms offered by the EU, the IMF and the European Central Bank.
Many Greek shoppers have been panic buying from supermarkets ahead of the vote – purchasing essentials such as pasta and flour.
David Cameron has said the poll essentially amounts to an in/out vote on Greece’s membership of the European Union, while Chancellor George Osborne has warned Britain cannot be “immune” from the fall-out from the referendum.
The Prime Minister will chair talks with Mr Osborne and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney on Monday morning to assess the impact of the poll, which could see Greece become the first country to be forced out of the euro.
On Friday, Greece was officially declared in default by the European Financial Stability Facility – days after the nation fell into arrears with the International Monetary Fund.
Banks across the country have been closed over the past week, with customers only able to withdraw €60 a day from cash machines.
On Saturday, as the crucial referendum loomed, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis accused creditors of “terrorism” by instilling a sense of fear in voters.
No campaigning was allowed in the 24 hours before voting began.
In a final mass rally held in Athens on Friday night, Mr Tsipras had told a 25,000-strong crowd: “On Sunday, we don’t just decide to stay in Europe – we decide to live with dignity in Europe, to work and prosper in Europe.”
There have been warnings that a No vote could see Greece leave the eurozone.
“Yes” supporters fear a so-called “Grexit” would also mean a return to Greece’s former currency, the drachma, if Mr Tsipras gets his way.
The question is:
“Must the agreement plan submitted by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund to the Eurogroup of 25 June, 2015, and comprised of two parts which make up their joint proposal, be accepted?
“The first document is titled ‘reforms for the completion of the current program and beyond’ and the second ‘Preliminary debt sustainability analysis.'”
The organisation has said the country needs €50bn over the next three years to stabilise its finances even under existing creditor plans.
Of that figure, €36bn must come from EU lenders, the IMF said.