Within his recently unveiled personal account, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
In the ex-PM's recollections, he chose that unorthodox economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to the latter's international reputation and his “extremely attractive” skills as a communicator.
“He was, actually, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda that included promoting his books and testing out his own game theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
He wrote how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They became a test, a monumental chance to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
On the line was not only Greece's destiny but also the punishing austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that threw Europe into a deeper existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that turned out to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After the minister proposed a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
Within the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate management.”
Tsipras also claimed how his confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of events has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
