In a recently unveiled autobiography, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
According to the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“He was, truthfully, more of a star and less of an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed his own motives which included advancing his books as well as testing out his own game theories on the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He wrote that those talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both the country's destiny and the severe austerity policies required in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by those against the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, Tsipras asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He also wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
