Sanders backs Greek voters “I applaud the people of Greece for saying ‘no’ to more austerity,” he says.

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders expressed support for Greeks who voted against creditors’ calls for austerity measures in exchange for new loans by widely rejecting such demands on Sunday.

“I applaud the people of Greece for saying ‘no’ to more austerity for the poor, the children, the sick and the elderly,” Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement on his website.


The referendum was part of broader efforts to back Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who is expected to attempt to try to negotiate better terms for his financially beleaguered nation.

“In a world of massive wealth and income inequality, Europe must support Greece’s efforts to build an economy which creates more jobs and income, not more unemployment and suffering,” Sanders’ statement reads.

The Vermont senator, a socialist, has a recent history of speaking out against global stakeholders’ policies that affect Greece.

On Wednesday, he criticized the International Monetary Fund in an interview with The Huffington Post, stating, “It is unacceptable that the International Monetary Fund and European policymakers have refused to work with the Greek government on a sensible plan to improve its economy and pay back its debt.”

Earlier Sunday, Sanders sat for an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper. Sanders, who has been drawing increased attention as he has gained on front-runner Hillary Clinton in the polls, addressed his own domestic financial priorities, building on the language he has become known for in recent months.

“My Cabinet would not be dominated by representatives of Wall Street,” Sanders said.

“I want a Cabinet that is focused on rebuilding the crumbling middle class, demanding that the wealthiest people and large corporations become part of America, and do not live as an island unto themselves,” he added.

He pointed to former Clinton administration Labor Secretary Robert Reich and New York Times columnist and economist Paul Krugman as knowledgeable sources of information.

Sanders also addressed issues involving tax rate hikes, stating: “In my view, we ought to break up the major financial institutions. We have to do away with these corporate tax havens. And, yes, we have to raise individual tax rates substantially higher than they are today.”

He also spoke about same-sex marriage.

“I voted against the DOMA act, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, way back in 1996 that was signed by President [Bill] Clinton, because I think, if people are in love, they should be able to get married in this country, in 50 states in America. And I strongly support what the Supreme Court recently said.”