Varoufakis planning to run as MEP in Germany

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis says he will run in Germany for the European elections in 2019, according to a report on the Euractiv.com website on Monday.

Varoufakis is quoted as saying he plans to run - even though the European Parliament "is not a real parliament" - because he wants to show that "federalism is possible, and also that Germany's current politics is harmful for Germans."

The controversial ex-minister also said he supports the federalist proposals on the euro single currency by French President Emanuel Macron, but believes only a real threat could make Germany budge on the issue.