Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
In Tsipras's account, he selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister largely due to the latter's worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” abilities as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader suggests that his finance chief had a personal motives that included advancing his publications and testing out his own economic models using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras noted that the negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line was both Greece's destiny and the harsh cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to find funds from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into deeper existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, the author concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
