In a recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's version, he appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to his global profile and his very persuasive abilities as a public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives that included promoting his publications and experimenting with his theories on the nation rather than truly advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras explained how the talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and those harsh austerity policies required in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed how his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
