Greek economist and bailout critic claims he will be finance minister
A Greek economist and outspoken bailout critic says in a blog post that he will be sworn in as finance minister under the country’s new left-wing government.
Yanis Varoufakis made the announcement on Tuesday, hours before the new government announced its Cabinet that will be headed by the Syriza party and also likely to include officials from its coalition ally, the anti-bailout and right wing Independent Greeks.
The 53-year-old has been a vocal critic of Greece’s bailout agreements, arguing that repayment of the country’s huge rescue package loans should be linked to growth, a policy change he argues would benefit eurozone lenders.
Syriza won a landmark general election victory on Sunday after campaigning on a pledge to renegotiate the bailout deal and seek forgiveness of more than half the money.
