Within his recently unveiled memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines that turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed the maverick academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily due to his international reputation along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed his own agenda that included promoting his books and experimenting with his game theories using Greece instead of genuinely advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid volatile negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake was both the country's destiny and the punishing austerity policies required in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
