Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's version, he chose the unorthodox academic Varoufakis as his treasury head largely due to his global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had a personal motives that included promoting his publications as well as testing out his own game theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that those talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for the country. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid tense discussions, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
At stake was not only Greece's future and those punishing cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by voters against austerity, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal demanding complex and delicate management.”
He also wrote that his confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
