In a freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that chaotic era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's recollections, he selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras alleges how Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and testing out his economic models using the nation rather than genuinely advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained how those talks to stave off insolvency became “not only a way to secure improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's future but also the punishing austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action which plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.”
He also claimed how his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
