Within his newly released memoir, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's account, he appointed that maverick economist Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader suggests that his finance chief had a personal motives that involved promoting his books as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
He noted how the negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line was both the country's destiny but also those punishing austerity measures required in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package with creditors that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive management.”
He also claimed that his confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked anger and shock in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
