OT FORUM – MERA25 S.G. Varoufakis: A joint European plan for the green transition is the “antidote” to the crisis

An original proposal on the need for a single European green transition plan was made for the first time by the Secretary General of MERA25, Yanis Varoufakis, though the OT FORUM platform, which is currently in progress.

He cited the need for such a plan, as an antidote to the energy crisis, which include a “single plan for all European countries”, and would include an investment fund, which could be financed by the European Investment Bank. issuing 500 billion euros in bonds each year for a total of 4 years.

Yanis Varoufakis added that the European Central Bank should simply say that it will support this plan by making purchases. In this way, we can “pop bubbles, like that of real estate,” he said

“People in despair” due to inflation

As concerns the high inflation in Greece, Mr. Varoufakis stressed that “people are in despair”, predicting that “in the next 2 months we will have a new wave of bankruptcies for small and medium-sized businesses”, to add that things will get much worse. “One third of the companies that operate are dead.” Giannis Varoufakis said, adding “I do not want to destroy”, but this is an “asymmetric inflation”, which hits some companies more than others, noting that those companies that have a dominant position in the market are benefitting.

Mr. Varoufakis said that the assessment of MERA 25 is that “a 15-20% of citizens is seeing incomes increase”, to add meaningfully that 80% are experiencing a crisis they did not even go through even in the heaviest years of the memoranda.”

Profiteering with the backing of Mitsotakis

Mr. Varoufakis “harshly criticized” the Mitsotakis government and personally the prime minister himself in relation to the scandal in power prices and the way the “private foreign PPC” operates. He himself spoke of “price gouging with the backing of the Mitsotakis government”. He even explained that both PPC and individuals have made “unheard of profits”, which are not taxed.

Moreover, Yanis Varoufakis was in favor of de-lignification, adding that “No government has the right to allow a monopoly” to gain beyond the limits and society to face problems.

He also spoke about hegde funds, which after the war, are buying very large quantities of natural gas from Russia and are withholding them, in order to further increase prices.

In addition, he harshly criticized the 4 private electricity providers that exist in Greece, talking about an oligopoly.

How to increase the minimum wage

Regarding what needs to be done, Yanis Varoufakis noted that there should be an automatic indexation month by month, adding that the whole process should be automated and should not be a decision of any prime minister. Asked if the economy, but also businesses, can withstand such a thing, he replied “The economy can not withstand manual adjustment.” At the same time, he stressed the need to have control over the labor market, so that any decisions are implemented, while emphasizing that the increase of benefits is very important, especially at this time. He also gave the example of disability benefits, the incorrect performance of which would have greater consequences for the economy, in addition to its social impact

Regarding the war in Ukraine, he expressed the position that the West should find a modus vivendi with Putin. He also criticized Biden’s policy, as well as his initial misguided stance on regime change in Ukraine, saying “Whenever the United States tried to bring about regime change in a foreign country, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran or Libya, the results were tragic.”

He spoke of the need for an agreement, which will make us “live in good conscience towards the Ukrainian people. We have people dying.” That is why he noted that there should be a ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops, and called on the US president to prove that he is a leader who sets both the means and the goal. Mr. Varoufakis reiterated that his proposal in order to “sleep peacefully at night” is to have “peace and withdrawal of troops,” status quo ante before February 24, but with Ukraine in a state of neutrality.

Why he will not attend Zelenski’s speech in parliament

Regarding the imminent appearance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Greek Parliament on April 7, Mr. Varoufakis said: “Our party honors Zelensky and the Ukrainian people,” adding that he would not attend. This is because, as he explained, there should be a rudimentary dialogue in Parliament. Mr. Varoufakis said that he had sent a letter to the Speaker of Parliament Mr. Tasoulaas, asking him to give the political leaders the opportunity to take a position, in the presence of Zelensky, something that will not happen, with the responsibility of the government. Yanis Varoufakis spoke about allowing symbolic positions lasting just 60 seconds, as Mr. Zelensky’s time is valuable, as his country is at war, and added: “We would like to maintain decorum and express our support for the Ukrainian people.”