In a freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily due to his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, actually, more like a star and less of an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his economic models on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
He noted how those discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay both the country's destiny but also those severe cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, the punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of history has provoked fury along with shock among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
