Within his recently unveiled personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's account, he selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras suggests how his finance chief had a personal motives that involved advancing his publications and testing out his own game theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained that those negotiations to stave off insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During tense negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
At stake was both the country's destiny but also the severe cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece would be equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from creditors which proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, the author concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”
He also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
