According to MeRA25’s announcement, the German authorities had committed to answering three critical questions regarding the ban—its issuer, its date, and its grounds—but ultimately declined to respond, citing “national security” concerns. They argued that disclosing such information could impede the “proper performance of the duties of the Federal Police and other security agencies involved in the case.”

Varoufakis and MeRA25 interpret these actions as a dangerous precedent, likening them to “Mitsotakisism”—a reference to Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis—suggesting that such tactics are now being adopted by northern European countries, traditionally seen as upholders of democratic norms. The statement from MeRA25 criticises these moves as an affront to citizen rights within the European Union, including the right to understand the basis of accusations and bans related to political activities and free movement.

The lawsuit is being pursued in German courts, with Varoufakis also reserving the right to escalate the matter to European courts, citing infringements of basic rights and defamation. This legal challenge stems from an incident on April 12, where Varoufakis was scheduled to speak at a Palestine Conference organized by Germany’s MERA25, the Jewish Voice for Peace, and other groups aiming to discuss political rights between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. MeRA25 argues that the German authorities’ actions to prevent this conference were not only suppressive but also hypocritical, especially given the participation of Jewish groups, which undermines potential accusations of anti-Semitism.

MeRA25’s statement also contends that invoking national security to suppress political freedom mirrors a broader, ominous trend towards totalitarianism that threatens civil liberties across Europe. They call on citizens to resist these measures, which they claim pose the greatest threat to security—not the activities they aim to suppress.

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