In a newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister largely due to the latter's global profile along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.
“He was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges how his finance chief possessed a personal motives which included advancing Varoufakis's publications and testing out his theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
He wrote that those discussions to avoid insolvency were “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny and the harsh cutbacks required in exchange for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won decisively by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, Tsipras concludes how his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed that his confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked fury along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
