Greece: Varoufakis quits to ease negotiations over debt
It’s amazing, isn’t it? Immediately after his government won an internationally-important vote against the foreign bankers and financiers who have been terrorising Greece with undemocratic austerity measures in return for loans, finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has resigned.
In his blog, he wrote that he had been “made aware of a certain preference by some Eurogroup participants, and assorted ‘partners’, for my… ‘absence’ from its meetings; an idea that the Prime Minister judged to be potentially helpful to him in reaching an agreement.
“For this reason I am leaving the Ministry of Finance today.”
He wrote: “Like all struggles for democratic rights, so too this historic rejection of the Eurogroup’s 25th June ultimatum comes with a large price tag attached. It is, therefore, essential that the great capital bestowed upon our government by the splendid NO vote be invested immediately into a YES to a proper resolution – to an agreement that involves debt restructuring, less austerity, redistribution in favour of the needy, and real reforms. [Bolding mine]
“We of the Left know how to act collectively with no care for the privileges of office. I shall support fully Prime Minister Tsipras, the new Minister of Finance, and our government.
“And I shall wear the creditors’ loathing with pride.”
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Bravo for this brave and self-less revolutionary. Can you imagine a British minister doing this for the sake of his country, after securing a major victory?
But what should concern us is this radical breath of fresh thinking in political negotiations has been blocked by the very people who are fighting for the status quo.
This is a sad event for the Greek people and the capitalists will have secured their control of ordinary people.
This man would be an example of a Leader to my mind. Since our politicians are not even ‘responsible’ let alone accountable then he is a shining example of an original and logical thinker. Lets hope he still contributes ideas and fresh thinking and is not forgotten in the rush to wipe out his influence. I truly am fed up with politicians who can be bought and sold and look pretty on T.V. Where are the Leaders? Not educated at Eton and Harrow. They are just clones!
I have a great deal of respect for this man! He walked into the lions den and stuck to his position in the face of every other finance minister in Europe to reject the concept that teh Greek people should be made to suffer to suit the ideaologically imposed whims of others. I wish he had stayed on because the reason they wish his absence is to my mind because he must have ruffled feathers by using logic.
I suspect Yanis might be much more of a threat to the banksters while working in the background. Otherwise, would someone please invite him here to replace our coke-snorting comedy chancellor?
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/yanis-varoufakis-on-greek-crisis/6616430
Varoufakis has given this interview to ABC Radio in Australia, outlining what happened when he resigned.