Greece’s Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) party was divided over Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’ choice of economist Elena Panaritis as the country’s representative to the International Monetary Fund. Just 24 hours after the decision was announced, 44 SYRIZA MPs called on the government to revoke this decision. MPs against the appointment included SYRIZA Parliamentary spokesman Nikos Filis and MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis — amongst the most prominent party members to oppose the decision.

The text states that the party is opposed to “the values, viewpoints and politics she represents”, and stresses that “a prominent representative of memorandum policies cannot possibly express the government.” The members signing the letter point not only to a “symbolic but also a political decision” and immediately call for the “mistake” to be rectified.

On her part, Panaritis rejected the appointment, following the negative comments made after she was named for the position. She thanked Varoufakis and Giorgos Stathakis for her appointment, making it clear that her purpose was to help Greece using her experience through a post that she had not asked for. After turning down the position she added that she would continue to help the government in its negotiations.

As a permanent representative to the IMF, Panaritis would have been in a position to sign “golden contracts” and would have received a salary of 18,000 dollars per month (more than 200,000 dollars per year) not including fringe benefits, such as first class travel.

In turning down the post, she issued a statement:

“As I never sought this post and given that I accepted it exclusively to help the government based on my experience on the way the IMF works (and other corresponding organizations) it is impossible for me to accept my appointment in the midst of the negative reactions of SYRIZA’s MPs and deputies.”