Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
According to the ex-PM's recollections, he chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly due to his global profile and his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's books as well as testing out his own theories using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the discussions to avoid insolvency became “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay not only Greece's future and the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras further claimed that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
