A public prosecutor has ordered a preliminary investigation following a televised interview in which Yanis Varoufakis, leader of the MeRA25 party and former Finance Minister, admitted to using ecstasy in his youth, describing the sensation as an “amazing experience.”
The inquiry focuses on potential violations of Greek law regarding the promotion or advertisement of narcotics. Authorities are examining whether Varoufakis’s candid remarks constitute a public encouragement of drug use, though investigators may look into other related offenses as the probe unfolds.
Yanis Varoufakis: I did inhale ecstasy
The controversy stems from a recent interview where Varoufakis was asked about his history with rave culture and narcotics. Eschewing the typical political deflection, Varoufakis answered with blunt honesty: “It would be a tragedy if I hadn’t.”
Recalling a specific incident from 1989 in Sydney, Australia, Varoufakis stated:
“I’m not like Bill Clinton, who said ‘I didn’t inhale.’ I’m actually a bit boring, unfortunately. I took ecstasy once, and it was an amazing experience—until the day after. I had an incredible migraine; I don’t know what they had given me. I remember dancing for 15 or 16 hours straight, but I suffered for a week afterward and never took it again.”
Varoufakis hits back: “Hypocrisy and demonization”
Following the news of the criminal investigation, Varoufakis took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the judiciary’s move, framing it as a politically motivated attempt to “demonize” his honesty.
He argued that in a country where drug traffickers often operate with impunity, the authorities are choosing instead to target a politician for speaking truthfully to young people.
“Young people appreciate our honesty and MeRA25’s drug policies—policies that are a nightmare for drug mafias because they would wipe out their profits,” Varoufakis wrote.
He further criticized his opponents as “hypocrites” who claim to wage a “war on drugs” while their policies keep the youth “shackled to drug dealers.”
Yanis Varoufakis has long been a polarizing figure in Greek politics. While his supporters view his transparency as a refreshing break from political theater, critics argue that his comments are irresponsible for a public figure of his stature.
The investigation is expected to determine whether his personal anecdote crossed the legal line into the “promotion” of controlled substances.
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