Within his freshly published autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, he chose the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of the latter's global profile along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives that involved promoting his publications and experimenting with his game theories on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He noted that the talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
At stake lay not only the country's future but also those punishing austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”
He further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of history has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence on the matter.
