Within his recently unveiled autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits that turbulent era during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
According to Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head mainly due to the latter's worldwide fame and his very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis had his own agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own economic models on the nation rather than truly advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile discussions, Greece came dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake was both Greece's destiny and those severe austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational style left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of history has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
