Yanis Varoufakis, Former Greek Finance Minister, Returns to Public Life More Hopeful Than Ever
The left-wing Syriza member resigned in 2015 after five tumultuous months battling eurozone creditors as they turned the austerity screws on Greece. Now he is continuing the fight through the new democracy movement, DiEM25.
1
2
To combat authoritarianism, austerity and the tyranny of the European Union (EU), Varoufakis spearheaded the launch of a new pro-democracy movement earlier this year called DiEM25, which stands for Democracy in Europe Movement 2025. The movement has branches in nations throughout Europe and has already grown to 17,000 members. According to Varoufakis, “[F]or the first time in Europe, people are trying to create a European agenda independently of borders, nationalities, culture and political party affiliation.” The group’s manifesto starts with the sentence, “For all their concerns with global competitiveness, migration and terrorism, only one prospect truly terrifies the Powers of Europe: Democracy!” The organization is growing fast and could develop into a mass movement before long. Varoufakis admitted, “It’s a utopian project, but the only alternative is a dystopia.”
There is a growing distrust of authoritarianism and capitalism all over the world today. Here in the United States, Varoufakis echoed the campaign catchphrase of presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, saying, “We have a political revolution in this country.” When I asked him his opinion of Sanders, he shared an anecdote from more than a year ago:
SUPPORT TRUTHDIG
“On Jan. 26, 2015, the day after our magnificent electoral victory [in the Greek election], I received a phone call from Vermont: ‘My name is Bernie Sanders, I am a senator from Vermont, and I’m calling to say we’re all watching you and we’re praying for you.’ What is happening [in the U.S. presidential election] is remarkable. The lesson we learn is that at some point people will respond, progressively and collectively and constructively, to the irrationality of the world we live in.”Varoufakis is eternally optimistic. About his five months in office as Greek finance minister, he concluded, “It was only a battle. We didn’t lose the war. The war is being fought as we speak, in Athens, in Europe, and here [in the United States].” Your support matters…
Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.
You can help level the playing field. Become a member.
Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.
Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.
Related stories
Book Review
A new book by former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis argues that capitalism as we knew it has been displaced by a twenty-first century feudalism.
Politics
The west's hypocritical approach to refugees.
EU leaders accuse Erdogan's government of using the refugees' desperation "for political purposes" as open-borders policy causes rush.
Greece fires tear gas and stun grenades on crowds seeking refuge after Turkey declares its previously guarded gateways to Europe open.
Thousands try to enter Greece by land and sea, trying to escape a Russian-backed Syrian offensive in Idlib province.
After vowing to end America's forever wars, the president has thrust the country head-first into a dangerous, likely intractable conflict.
Book Review
A new book by former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis argues that capitalism as we knew it has been displaced by a twenty-first century feudalism.
Politics
The west's hypocritical approach to refugees.
EU leaders accuse Erdogan's government of using the refugees' desperation "for political purposes" as open-borders policy causes rush.
Greece fires tear gas and stun grenades on crowds seeking refuge after Turkey declares its previously guarded gateways to Europe open.
Thousands try to enter Greece by land and sea, trying to escape a Russian-backed Syrian offensive in Idlib province.
After vowing to end America's forever wars, the president has thrust the country head-first into a dangerous, likely intractable conflict.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.