Greek Finance Minister Varoufakis resigns
Business |
'I shall wear the creditors' loathing with pride,' Varoufakis says
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has announced his resignation with a note on his website and a tweet: Minister No More!.
In an online statement, Varoufakis wrote: "Soon after the announcement of the referendum results, I was 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.
The unexpected resignation of the Greek minister has sent shockwaves in Athens and beyond, which comes just a day after the Greeks voted No in the bailout referendum. About Sundays referendum, he said: The referendum of 5th July will stay in history as a unique moment when a small European nation rose up against debt-bondage.
Like all struggles for democratic rights, so too this historic rejection of the Eurogroups 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, he added.
Varoufakis also hinted that his support for the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras would not end with his resignation.
I consider it my duty to help Alexis Tsipras exploit, as he sees fit, the capital that the Greek people granted us through yesterdays referendum. And I shall wear the creditors loathing with pride, he said.
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. The superhuman effort to honour the brave people of Greece, and the famous OXI (NO) that they granted to democrats the world over, is just beginning, he added.
Anadolu Agency
In an online statement, Varoufakis wrote: "Soon after the announcement of the referendum results, I was 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.
The unexpected resignation of the Greek minister has sent shockwaves in Athens and beyond, which comes just a day after the Greeks voted No in the bailout referendum. About Sundays referendum, he said: The referendum of 5th July will stay in history as a unique moment when a small European nation rose up against debt-bondage.
Like all struggles for democratic rights, so too this historic rejection of the Eurogroups 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, he added.
Varoufakis also hinted that his support for the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras would not end with his resignation.
I consider it my duty to help Alexis Tsipras exploit, as he sees fit, the capital that the Greek people granted us through yesterdays referendum. And I shall wear the creditors loathing with pride, he said.
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. The superhuman effort to honour the brave people of Greece, and the famous OXI (NO) that they granted to democrats the world over, is just beginning, he added.
Anadolu Agency
