In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly due to the latter's international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras claims that his finance chief possessed his own motives which included promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
He explained how those discussions to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid tense negotiations, Greece came dangerously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line was both the country's future and the punishing cutbacks required in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as an urgent plea to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the memoir, the author concludes how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive management.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, and helped hawks that were advocating Grexit.
The account of events has provoked anger and shock among certain groups, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
