Headlines
Greek finance minister quits after 'No' vote in referendum
Athens, July 6
Greek Finance Minister Yanis
Varoufakis announced his resignation on Monday after the country voted
“No†to a bailout offer in a landmark referendum.
In a posting on
his website, Varoufakis said the decision was made in view of "a
certain 'preference' by some Eurogroup participants, and assorted
'partners', for my...'absence' from its meetings".
“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 (Alexis Tsipras) judged to be potentially helpful to him in
reaching an agreement,†he stated.
“For this reason, I am leaving the ministry of finance today.â€
Varoufakis
said the Greek citizens' “historic rejection†of the Eurogroup’s June
25 ultimatum “comes with a large price tag attachedâ€.
“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
stated.
“I consider it my duty to help Alexis Tsipras exploit, as
he sees fit, the capital that the Greek people granted us through
yesterday’s referendum," Varoufakis said.
“And I shall wear the creditors’ loathing with pride,†he added.