Former Greek minister could face prison for admitting to ecstasy use 40 years ago

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis is being prosecuted for admitting on a podcast that he took ecstasy almost 40 years ago.

The 64-year-old politician, economist and author of Technofeudalism was charged last Wednesday, February 25, with “promoting and inciting others in the illegal use of narcotics” after speaking about his past drug use on a podcast in January.

During his appearance on the podcast, which he says was “organised by young people to answer their questions on everything that concerns Gen Z today”, Varoufakis said he was asked if he had ever taken drugs.

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“I said I had,” he explained on X. “Apart from pot, I told them, I had one experience of taking ecstasy in Sydney 36 years ago. It was pleasant, I danced for 16 hours effortlessly but then, I added, it gave me a migraine for a week – and so I never used [it] again.”

Varoufakis claimed that the Greek DEA, “our drug busting police department”, then arrived on his doorstep in mid-January shortly after the podcast was aired, summoning him to be questioned.

“Yes, the Greek police have opened an investigation of me under the charge of... aiding and abetting the narco-mafia,” he wrote, saying that the experience was “scary”.

“Seriously now, at a time of war, genocide, stupendous exploitation and so on, my little trouble with the inane Greek police is neither here nor there. But it is important. Here, in Europe, many people still live under the illusion that we have liberty, rationality and freedom.”

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According to The Guardian, Varoufakis could face six months in prison and a fine of up to €50,000 if he is convicted, with a court date set for December this year.

Varoufakis has since condemned the prosecution, calling it “ridiculous” and accusing Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, of “cutting a deal” with the far-right to “harass and drag” opposing politicians through court.

In a statement, Varoufakis’ left-wing political party, MeRA25, claims that the justice system “turns a blind eye to power while targeting anyone who refuses to bow before it.”

Read his statement below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X