Within his freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
As per the ex-PM's account, he selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily because of his international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, in reality, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his economic models using Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the discussions to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile discussions, the country found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line was not only the country's destiny and those punishing austerity measures required in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras further wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style made 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 anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
