Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the turbulent era during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
In Tsipras's version, he appointed the maverick academic Varoufakis as the treasury head mainly because of his international reputation and his highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, actually, more of a star rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras alleges that Varoufakis had his own motives which involved advancing his books as well as testing out his economic models using the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote that those discussions to avoid insolvency became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They became a test, an historic opportunity to prove the validity of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake was not only the country's destiny and the punishing cutbacks required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won decisively by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After the minister proposed a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and distributing coupons to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, the author concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and delicate handling.”
He further claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational style left him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, and assisted hardliners that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of events has been met with fury along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
