Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
In Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose that maverick economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of his international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“He was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader suggests that Varoufakis possessed his own motives that involved advancing his publications and testing out his own economic models on the nation rather than truly advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became a test, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's future but also those punishing austerity measures required in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
