In a freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's version, he chose that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how his finance chief had his own motives which included promoting his publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models on Greece rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.
He noted that those discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense negotiations, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's destiny and those punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
