Varoufakis-gate: Greek opposition parties call for explanations on Plan X

Yanis Varoufakis’ interview outlining Plan X causes uproar

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has left the government exposed yet again following his interview on private Skai TV on Tuesday concerning his negotiations with Greece’s creditors from January through to July 2015. Once again, he confirmed fears and suspicions that the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government line at the time had been a choice of conflict with Greece’s creditors that bordered on the risk of Grexit. His statements confirmed that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras not only was fully aware of Varoufakis’ controversial handling of Greek affairs but was at the helm giving the mandate for the line that had been followed at the time.

Varoufakis states that he had been instructed by Tsipras to draw up a back-up plan for the introduction of a parallel currency in case negotiations with Greece’s partners failed. He outlined that Plan X was composed by a small team of six people that examined parameters surrounding a potential standoff with Greece’s creditors.

On its part, the government is down-playing the revelations and is working to undermine the statements made by Varoufakis. Government circles stated that “the credibility of Varoufakis’ choices in the negotiation have been judged at all levels.” The same sources stated that the September national elections had taken place with citizens aware of the government’s negotiation.

The main opposition New Democracy party reacted against the statements made by Varoufakis and insisted that Tsipras was in cahoots with his minister during the trying negotiaitons that influenced life for Greeks.

Socialist PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata said that her party was waiting for Tsipras to outline his stand, whereas the centrist Potami party also outlined its objections to statements made in the interview and called for explanations to be given concerning Plan X.