Within his freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
In Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame and Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a public orator.
“He was, in reality, more like a star and less of an economic expert,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which included promoting his books and testing out his own theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras explained that the talks to stave off insolvency became “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay not only the country's future and the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that plunged the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of events has been met with fury and shock among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
