In a recently unveiled personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of the latter's worldwide fame along with his very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis had a personal motives that included advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own theories on Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He noted that those discussions to stave off bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity measures required in return for financial aid by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, those punitive conditions were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, the author asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
