Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's version, he selected the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the treasury head largely because of the latter's worldwide fame and his highly compelling abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a personality rather than an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges how his finance chief possessed his own agenda which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his theories on the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted how those discussions to avoid insolvency became “not just a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
During volatile discussions, the country came dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
At stake lay both Greece's destiny and the severe austerity policies demanded in exchange for bailout funds by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
That summer, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, an action that threw the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by those against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed that he started questioning his finance minister relatively soon.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras asserts how his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
