Greek Minister of Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Panagiotis Lafazanis gave a controversial interview in which he claims that an “honorable deal” is impossible and it is better for Greece to leave the European Union and seek alliances elsewhere. Lafazanis, the chief of the so-called SYRIZA’s “leftist platform,” expresses the extreme leftist ideas of several party members and has often being outspoken about Greece’s position in the euro zone and Europe in general. He has repeatedly stated that Greece must cut ties with Europe. In the interview, the minister says that there is not going to be an agreement with lenders because their demands go against Greek people. He proposes that Greece defaults and leaves the European Union and forms new alliances. He says that Greece can side with Russia, China, Latin America, India, Arab countries, African countries and nations in the Mediterranean Basin. According to Lafazanis our European partners are not partners but ruthless lenders and their demands do not respect the lives of Greek people and the recent radical popular mandate. He further says that Brussels and the International Monetary Fund want to rob Greece’s wealth and demand total submission. By asking for wage and pension cuts, selling-out state property and austere reforms in labor and insurance markets, the minister argues, it is like asking Greece’s total sellout. Lafazanis finally says that SYRIZA will not sign any of the reforms and measures that will hurt the Greek people. “SYRIZA will not accept a deal that is incompatible with its radical pledges,” he says.