US Senator and Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has sent a congratulatory message to the people of Greece for their historic “no” vote in today’s referendum.

“I applaud the people of Greece for saying ‘no’ to more austerity for the the poor, the children, the sick and the elderly.”

“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 has taken every opportunity to blast the creditors of Greece for their harsh treatment and the impact of their policies on average people.

Describing the austerity policies as an “abysmal failure,” the progressive presidential candidate chastised the so-called Troika—the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the European Commission—for inflicting severe “economic pain and suffering” on the Greek people.

“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,” Sanders said in a statement.

“At a time of grotesque wealth inequality, the pensions of the people in Greece should not be cut even further to pay back some of the largest banks and wealthiest financiers in the world.”