Yanis Varoufakis

Yanis Varoufakis is a Greek economist, academic, and politician known for his critical analysis of global financial institutions and his work in political economy. Varoufakis studied mathematics and economics at the Universities of Essex and Birmingham and has taught economics at the Universities of East Anglia, Cambridge, Sydney, Glasgow, Texas, and Athens, where he holds a chair in political economy and economic theory. He also serves as Honorary Professor of Political Economy at the University of Sydney, Honoris Causa Professor of Law, Economics and Finance at the University of Torino, Visiting Professor of Political Economy at King's College London, and Doctor of the University Honoris Causa at the University of Sussex. His research focuses on global and European economic and financial crises, political economy, and the intersection of game theory with economic and political philosophy.

Varoufakis was elected to Greece's Parliament with the largest majority in the country and served as Greece's finance minister. During his tenure, he engaged with the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission, and the European Central Bank during a period of significant economic crisis. Following a national referendum in which a majority of Greeks voted against new austerity measures, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted a bailout, prompting Varoufakis to resign in protest.

Varoufakis is the author of several books on economics, political memoir, and speculative fiction. His memoir, "Adults in the Room: My Battle with Europe's Deep Establishment," was adapted into a film by director Costa-Gavras. Other works include "And the Weak Suffer What They Must? Europe, Austerity and the Threat to Global Stability," "Talking to My Daughter About the Economy," and "Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism." He is also featured in the documentary series "In the Eye of the Storm — The Political Odyssey of Yanis Varoufakis," which examines his career and perspectives on democracy, capitalism, and leadership.

Varoufakis co-founded DiEM25 (Democracy in Europe Movement 2025), a pan-European movement focused on promoting democracy, transparency, and accountability within the European Union. As leader of DiEM25, Varoufakis continues to contribute to academic research, political activism, and public discourse on economic policy, European politics, and the dynamics of modern democracies.