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Varoufakis: Thatcher’s criticism of ECB was sophisticated, pertinent Varoufakis: Thatcher’s criticism of ECB was sophisticated, pertinent
(about 9 hours later)
Marxist economist and game theorist Yanis Varoufakis confided in crowds gathered at a Welsh arts festival on Monday that he has some admiration for the late ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, despite largely viewing her legacy as damaging. Marxist economist Yanis Varoufakis, who recently branded austerity "fiscal waterboarding", confided in crowds gathered in Wales on Monday that he has some admiration for the late ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, despite largely viewing her legacy as damaging.
The former finance minister of Greece, who is vehemently opposed to the neoliberal policies Thatcher pushed for, made the startling admission at an event in the Brecon Beacons National Park, located in south Wales. The former finance minister of Greece, who is vehemently opposed to the neoliberal policies Thatcher pushed for, made the admission at the Hay Festival in the Brecon Beacons National Park, south Wales.
The Hay Festival is held each year in the picturesque region, hosting writers, poets, scientists, comedians, environmentalists and thought leaders. The event is held annually in the picturesque border region, and hosts a diverse range of writers, poets, scientists, comedians, environmentalists and thought leaders.
Speaking at the event, Varoufakis compared Thatcher to a “dark cloud” but added there were admirable moments throughout her political career. Speaking at the festival, Varoufakis compared Thatcher to a “dark cloud” but added there were admirable moments throughout her political career.
He had been invited to discuss the origins of the eurozone crisis, the relentless Troika (European Central Bank-International Monetary Fund-European Commission) austerity that followed, and a potential path ahead for Europe and Greece. He had been invited to discuss the origins of the eurozone crisis, the relentless Troika (ECB-IMF-EC) austerity that followed, and a potential path ahead for Europe and Greece.
Reflecting on commentary Thatcher once gave on the European Central Bank (ECB), he said it was the “most pertinent” ever made.Reflecting on commentary Thatcher once gave on the European Central Bank (ECB), he said it was the “most pertinent” ever made.
“It was a very nuanced and sophisticated criticism – who controls interest rates in Europe controls the politics of Europe, and that money cannot be depoliticized,” he added.“It was a very nuanced and sophisticated criticism – who controls interest rates in Europe controls the politics of Europe, and that money cannot be depoliticized,” he added.
Varoufakis also praised Thatcher’s ability to deliver engaging, if misguided, political rhetoric, as he saw it.Varoufakis also praised Thatcher’s ability to deliver engaging, if misguided, political rhetoric, as he saw it.
“Even though I spent my youth joining every single demonstration against Mrs Thatcher I could find … I always enjoyed listening to Mrs Thatcher because the rest were boring,” he said.“Even though I spent my youth joining every single demonstration against Mrs Thatcher I could find … I always enjoyed listening to Mrs Thatcher because the rest were boring,” he said.
“The way she would wipe the floor clean with the opposition was astonishing.”“The way she would wipe the floor clean with the opposition was astonishing.”
Varoufakis was a chief figure in Greek anti-austerity party Syriza, playing a central role in opposing the terms of Troika bailout packages that many claim have burdened Greeks with toxic debt and created a humanitarian crisis across the country. Varoufakis was a chief figure in Greek anti-austerity party Syriza, playing a central role in opposing the terms of Troika bailout packages that have burdened Greeks with toxic debt and created a humanitarian crisis across the country.
He resigned from the Greek parliament in July 2015 and launched the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 the following February.He resigned from the Greek parliament in July 2015 and launched the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 the following February.
His latest book, ‘And the Weak must Suffer What They Must?’ argues the European Union (EU) is inherently undemocratic and is home to a borderless economy created in the interest of elites.His latest book, ‘And the Weak must Suffer What They Must?’ argues the European Union (EU) is inherently undemocratic and is home to a borderless economy created in the interest of elites.
The Hay Festival’s 2016 lineup featured a politics and global affairs section, complete with discussion on Britain’s EU referendum, the eurozone crisis, the upcoming US election, Russian politics and Middle Eastern affairs. The Hay Festival's 2016 program featured a dedicated global affairs lineup, complete with discussion on Britain’s EU referendum, the upcoming US election, Russian politics and Middle Eastern affairs.
Debate on Britain’s EU referendum included ex-Labour PM Gordon Brown, ex-Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mervyn King, and ex-adviser to David Cameron Steve Hilton.Debate on Britain’s EU referendum included ex-Labour PM Gordon Brown, ex-Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mervyn King, and ex-adviser to David Cameron Steve Hilton.
Among the panellists broaching US, Russian and Middle Eastern affairs were Nobel Literature Laureate Svetlana Alexievich, ex-Deputy Head of NATO Richard Shirreff, ex-CIA and NSA chief Michael V Hayden, and Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi.Among the panellists broaching US, Russian and Middle Eastern affairs were Nobel Literature Laureate Svetlana Alexievich, ex-Deputy Head of NATO Richard Shirreff, ex-CIA and NSA chief Michael V Hayden, and Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi.