"It's like playing poker"

anti austerity protests athens
  • Name: Ioanna Tsironis
  • Age: 37
  • Occupation: Public health inspector

"I took a big pay cut in the last few years. I used to make 1,400 euros a month. Now I make 830 euros a month. It's enough for me. It's hard, but I can manage. I don't buy new things. I don't have to, I have clothes from the past, when I had more money. I just wear those. I take my vacations in Greece. I used to go abroad, but now I don't have enough money.

In my work as a health inspector, I can see businesses that are struggling, because people don't go to restaurants and there is not enough business. Hopefully there will be a lot of tourists coming this summer. That's the only way.

I am not worried about the euro. We can find other partners, like China, Russia. Not just Greece, the whole of Europe can find new partners.

Related: Greece, Russia agree explosive gas deal

I am behind this government, I have been supporting them for three years. I believe the government is working hard, they are taking careful steps. We like how they negotiate. They play hard. It's like playing poker. I think other European countries also like this government."

First published June 28, 2015: 2:09 PM ET

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