ATHENA, Mar 11 Former Minister of Finance of Greece, leader of the parliamentary party MERA25 (Diem25 Janis Varoufakis was brutally beaten Friday night in a restaurant in the Exarchia district of Athens, the party said.
The Greek government condemned the attack.
«Some time ago, MERA25 secretary Janis Varoufakis was the victim of a daring fascist attack by thugs provocateurs. MERA25 secretary was gathering at the Yantes restaurant (a place he frequents) with fellow Diem25 party members from all over Europe when a small group of thugs entered the restaurant in a riotous mood
Yanis Varoufakis got up to address them, but the bandits immediately responded with violence and party secretary severely beaten.
The party notes that today's episode makes us think about those who purposefully spread false and slanderous rumors.
Varoufakis was against signing memorandums with a trio of creditors during the acute financial crisis. Under these agreements, Greece received loans to save the economy in exchange for a policy of belt-tightening and sharp spending cuts, which led to a decrease in the country's standard of living.
Government spokesman Yannis Ikonomou condemned the attack on the politician.
“We unequivocally and unreservedly condemn the attack on MERA25 Secretary Varoufakis. There is no place for hooliganism in our democracy and any form of violence is unacceptable. The Greek police will do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the statement said.
The Athens news agency AMNA reported that Varoufakis was taken to the Evangelismos hospital for first aid, doctors diagnosed a broken nose.
Officers of the state security police also arrived at the hospital, AMNA reported.
Varoufakis was finance minister in the first left-wing government of Greece in January-July 2015 and has become one of the most charismatic and flamboyant politicians. He was Greece's chief negotiator with the club of international creditors. At their own request and at the request of the then Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, he resigned — so as not to interfere with Tsipras to negotiate with the Eurogroup. Varoufakis irritated European finance ministers with open criticism of the Eurogroup. In Greece, he was very popular, although many accused him of populism and the inability to find compromises with negotiating partners. Some politicians believe that his populism cost Greece 100 billion euros.
For five months of negotiations in 2015, the parties failed to resolve many contentious issues, and Greece, under strong pressure and under the threat of complete bankruptcy, was forced to agree to all the ultimatum demands of creditors and sign a third aid program, under which, in exchange for loans, it increased taxes, reduced pensions and salaries, fired civil servants.