Within his freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's version, he selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's very persuasive skills as a communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his own theories using the nation instead of genuinely fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
During volatile negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's future and those severe cutbacks required in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how his confrontational style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
The account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
