In a recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
According to Tsipras's account, he chose that unorthodox economist Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily because of his worldwide fame and his “extremely attractive” abilities as a public orator.
“He was, actually, more of a star rather than an economist,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal motives that involved advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his game theories on the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
He noted that those discussions to stave off insolvency became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's future and the punishing austerity policies demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was carried resoundingly by those against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result then agree to a bailout package from creditors that proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a secondary currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote how his confrontational style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of history has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
