In a newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
In the ex-PM's version, he appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly due to his international reputation along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his theories on the nation instead of truly fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras wrote how those negotiations to stave off insolvency became “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
During tense negotiations, Greece came perilously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny and those punishing cutbacks required in exchange for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping the indebted country was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that plunged Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras asserts how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
He further claimed how his aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of history has been met with fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
