Within his freshly published personal account, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Appointment
In Tsipras's account, Tsipras appointed that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the treasury head mainly because of the latter's international reputation along with his very persuasive abilities as a public orator.
“He was, actually, more of a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader suggests how Varoufakis possessed his own motives which involved advancing his books and experimenting with his economic models on the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
He explained how the talks to stave off insolvency became “not just a method to secure a better deal for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of exiting the single currency area.
On the line lay both the country's destiny and those harsh austerity policies required in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote and Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, a move that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras also claimed how his aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, put Greece at risk, and helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This account of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence on the matter.
