Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines that chaotic era of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed a personal motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his economic models using Greece instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
He noted that those talks to stave off insolvency became “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the truth of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid tense negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was both the country's future but also the punishing austerity measures required in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a further existential crisis.
Although the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, the author concludes how his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding complex and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
