Varoufakis runs with SYRIZA

Varoufakis - of dual Greek and Australian citizenship and Professor of Economic Theory at the University of Athens - has analysed the reasons for Greece's economic turmoil since the crisis began; a situation which he lays squarely at the door of the troika's "cynical" bailout terms and a failure of the Greek government to contest enforced austerity measures.

If SYRIZA wins at the polls next Sunday there's little doubt that Varoufakis will play a role in attempting to implement SYRIZA's radical economic agenda - which includes debt renegotiation and cancelling the austerity measures which underpin Greece's 240 billion euro bailout.

Speaking to Russia Today this week, Varoufakis admitted that his arrival in the political arena (he will run in Athens' B' Athinon electorate - a sprawling, largely working-class constituency) was the result of an offer he simply couldn't refuse.

"Alexis Tsipras invited me, if there is a SYRIZA government, to participate in an attempt to implement the policies I have been advocating," said the former University of Sydney lecturer.

"For five years now I've been putting forward alternative proposals to the ones that have been implemented.

"It was morally and politically impossible to turn down such an offer, even though I dread it."

On announcing his candidature, Varoufakis said his greatest fear was that he would turn into a politician.

"As an antidote to that virus, I intend to write my resignation letter and keep it in my inside pocket, ready to submit it the moment I sense signs of losing the commitment to speak truth to power."