In a newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame and his very persuasive skills as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had his own agenda that included promoting his publications and testing out his own theories on Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
He noted how those discussions to avoid insolvency were “not only a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
At stake was both the country's destiny but also those harsh austerity policies demanded in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into deeper existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”
He further wrote how his aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of events has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
