Within his newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he examines the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his worldwide fame and Varoufakis's highly compelling skills as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader claims how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that involved advancing his publications as well as testing out his game theories on the nation rather than truly advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that those discussions to stave off insolvency were “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid volatile discussions, Greece found itself perilously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake lay both the country's future and those severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of events has provoked anger along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
