Within his newly released personal account, called Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the turbulent period of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, Tsipras selected that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister primarily because of the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economist,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader alleges that Varoufakis possessed a personal agenda which included advancing his books as well as testing out his game theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for the country's economic stability.
He wrote that the talks to avoid bankruptcy became “not only a way of achieving improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic opportunity to prove the truth of Varoufakis's economic theories.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster discussions, Greece came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
At stake was not only the country's future but also those punishing austerity measures demanded in exchange for rescue loans by foreign lenders.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed the cuts, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome then agree to a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When the minister proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader knew it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
Within the book, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
This account of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
