Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said Ireland has a choice to make on February 26th between those who have imposed austerity and those who offer an alternative
Varoufakis appeared via video-link at today's Right2Change symposium in the Mansion House, which saw delegates from several unions and political parties sign up to a 10-policy platform to create a fairer society.
According to the Irish Times, he said the election would "condone and legitimise... or repudiate and condemn" the European Central Bank and the current coalition for the crippling effects of austerity.
He dispelled the idea that borrowers were to blame for Ireland's economic fate; rather "a small band of Irish international bankers, developers and politicians built up a gargantuan debt that you have to take on."
Varoufakis encouraged voters to "send Mr Noonan packing", and to strike a blow against the political establishment for all of Europe.
The economist achieved international fame after becoming Greece's Finance Minister in January of last year under the new Syriza government.
His frank and uncompromising refusal to accept EU-mandated austerity gained him much media attention, but also the ire of EU officials. Frequently at loggerheads with most eurozone finance ministers, he eventually resigned in August as it became clear Greece would not be allowed to re-negotiate its bailout terms.
Last week he launched the DiEM25 (Democracy in Europe Movement 2025), a pan-European movement to 'democratise' European institutions.
