Within his newly released personal account, named Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the finance minister primarily because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a communicator.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader suggests that Varoufakis had his own agenda that included promoting his books and experimenting with his own theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras wrote how the discussions to prevent insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
During tense discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay both Greece's future and the harsh austerity measures demanded in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into a further existential crisis.
Although the referendum was won decisively by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He further claimed how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
This account of events has been met with anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
