Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to Tsipras's version, he appointed that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to his worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief possessed a personal motives which included promoting his publications as well as testing out his theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
He noted how the negotiations to prevent insolvency became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During tense negotiations, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only Greece's destiny and the harsh cutbacks demanded in exchange for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and delicate handling.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of events has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
