Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed the unorthodox economist Varoufakis as his finance minister largely due to the latter's worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more of a personality rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges how Varoufakis had his own agenda that included advancing his books and experimenting with his own theories using Greece rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the discussions to avoid insolvency became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Talks
During tense negotiations, the country found itself perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's future but also the severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which threw Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was game over and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding complex and sensitive handling.”
He further wrote that his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and assisted hawks that were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
