In a freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, he appointed the maverick academic Varoufakis to be the treasury head primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” skills as a public orator.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed a personal motives which involved promoting his publications as well as testing out his own economic models on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
He noted how the negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's future but also those punishing austerity measures required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to find financing elsewhere, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
That summer, the punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, a move which threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won decisively by voters against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome and agree to a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the book, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate management.”
He further claimed that his confrontational approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
The account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
