In the Eye of the Storm: The Political Odyssey of Yanis Varoufakis (2022)

Episode Overview

After months of turmoil, Greece holds a referendum on the Troika’s bailout terms. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras seems ready to give in, but Varoufakis believes that a win in the referendum could help reject the Troika’s proposal. He vows to resign if the vote doesn’t go in their favor. On July 5, 2015, 62 percent of Greeks stand with Varoufakis, rejecting the deal in a historic display of defiance. However, Tsipras quickly indicates he will yield to the Troika, disregarding the referendum's outcome. This pushes Varoufakis to resign and leave parliament, setting off a chain reaction that plunges Greece deeper into debt as national assets are sold off to satisfy creditors. Varoufakis also faces a harsh smear campaign from the media.