In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
As per Tsipras's account, Tsipras selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to his worldwide fame along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges that his finance chief had a personal motives which included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own economic models on the nation rather than truly fighting for the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how those discussions to stave off insolvency became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During tense negotiations, the country came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's future and those severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was carried decisively by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with creditors which proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
