In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected the unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely due to his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a star rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges how his finance chief had his own agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted that those talks to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Talks
During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake was both Greece's destiny and those harsh cutbacks required in return for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
That summer, the harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move which threw the EU into a further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, the author asserts how Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
