Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on that chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
In the ex-PM's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Varoufakis to be his treasury head mainly due to his international reputation and Varoufakis's “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed his own agenda that involved advancing his books and testing out his own game theories on the nation instead of genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He noted how those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy were “not just a method to secure improved terms for Greece. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
During volatile negotiations, Greece found itself perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
At stake lay both the country's future and those severe austerity measures demanded in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which plunged the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that turned out to be tougher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and issuing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
