Within his freshly published autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he reflects on that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's recollections, he chose that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister largely due to his international reputation and his highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader claims how Varoufakis possessed his own motives that included advancing his publications and experimenting with his game theories using Greece rather than truly advocating its economic stability.
He noted that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure improved terms for Greece. They became an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay not only the country's future but also the harsh cutbacks required in return for bailout funds from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find financing elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those harsh conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into further crisis of identity.
Although the referendum was won resoundingly by those who opposed the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included creating a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of history has provoked anger along with shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
