In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the turbulent period during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's recollections, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame along with his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed his own agenda which involved advancing his books and experimenting with his own game theories on the nation rather than truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras explained that the negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, Greece came perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's future but also the punishing cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package from creditors which turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
