REUTERS
International rating agency Standard & Poor's has downgraded long-term ratings on Greece to 'CCC-' from 'CCC' with a negative outlook, and increased the probability of Greece exiting from the eurozone to 50%.
The short-term rating was affirmed at 'C,' Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported with reference to Reuters.
"In our view, the probability of Greece exiting the eurozone is now about 50 percent," S&P said in a press release.
"Also, we believe that, absent unanticipated favorable changes in Greece's circumstances, a commercial default is inevitable within the next six months," S&P said.
If Athens fails to pay its creditors during this period, S&P may further downgrade its rating.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Greek parliament supported the holding of a national referendum on the debt agreement on July 5, with Greek banks likely to remain closed all week until July 6. Cash withdrawals through ATMs were limited to EUR 60 per day.