Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras chose the maverick academic Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved promoting his books and experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that the negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay both the country's destiny and those severe cutbacks required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, the author asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further wrote how his confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
