No, Varoufakis did not show the “stinkefinger” to Germany! (video)

The finger is authentic, but was used out of context!

The 2-year-old video of Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis purportedly “giving the finger” to Germany was filmed at a conference in Zagreb in May 2013. The video caused a stir in the German press that had a field day condemning the Greek FinMin for making rude gestures to Germans. Speaking with ARD talk show host Gunther Jauch, Varoufakis said that the video had been tampered with causing digital analysts to differ.

In the video, Varoufakis said: “Greece should simply announce that it is defaulting, just like Argentina did, within the euro in January 2010, and stick the finger to Germany (sticks up his middle finger) and say, ‘Well, you can now solve this problem by yourself’.”

He told Jausch that he had not given the finger ever and the video had been doctored. On his part Alessandro Del Prete, the person who uploaded the 6-minute video tweeted to deny this.

The finger debate continued on Tuesday with Varoufakis tweet:

FINGERVAROUFAKIS

Nonetheless, the video that Varoufakis uploads (see 40.31) it does indeed show him sticking the finger but it is only shown as a hypothetical scenario. Following the statement he says that he wouldn’t support that option.

Furthermore, at 42.00 he applauds sticking the finger to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Here’s the FULL clip, compare it to the short clip and it acquires a different meaning…