In a newly released personal account, titled Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he revisits the turbulent era during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
According to the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily due to his worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economic expert,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras alleges how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda that involved advancing his books and experimenting with his economic models on the nation instead of truly advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how those talks to stave off insolvency were “not just a method of achieving improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake was not only Greece's destiny and those severe austerity measures demanded in exchange for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to Russia to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw the EU into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the face of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
After the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Criticism
In the book, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement that required intricate and delicate management.”
He also claimed how his aggressive style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of history has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
