ATHENS — In an ominous sign Sunday that Greece is speeding toward a banking collapse, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced that Greek banks will be closed Monday amid last-ditch discussions about his nation’s economic future.
The decision was a sign that Greece’s half-decade battle to stay in the shared euro currency may swiftly be coming to an end. ATMs in Athens were running out of money, and tensions were running high Sunday as Greeks stood in line for hours to scrape together petty cash for basic supplies. Lines mounted at gas stations as worried residents topped off their tanks for what could be a period of time in a cashless nation.
“The decision not to prolong financial aid to Greece is offensive, and it’s a disgrace for Europe in general,” Tsipras said in a brief Sunday evening address broadcast across Greek television networks.
There were signs that Greece’s creditors — the International Monetary Fund and euro-zone governments — were leaving the door open to negotiations. But it remained deeply unclear ahead of a Tuesday repayment deadline how Greece would be able manage its finances without going into default.
Tsipras said that he had asked E.U. leaders to extend their assistance to Greece past the Tuesday deadline, calling the threat to cut it off “blackmail.” But he gave no concrete indications that he had made any concessions that would cause them to change their minds.
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