Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected that maverick economist Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily due to his global profile and his highly compelling abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims how Varoufakis had a personal motives which included advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his game theories on Greece rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that those talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay both Greece's future but also those harsh cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the book, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate management.”
He also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
