Within his newly released autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
In Tsipras's account, he selected that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a personality rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims that Varoufakis had a personal motives that included advancing his publications and testing out his own game theories on the nation instead of genuinely advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how those talks to prevent insolvency became “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay both the country's destiny and those punishing cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including 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 into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
This account of events has been met with anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
