Within his newly released autobiography, named Ithaki, the former premier Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
In Tsipras's version, Tsipras chose that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis as the finance minister largely because of the latter's global profile and his very persuasive abilities as a public orator.
“He was, actually, more like a star rather than an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims that his finance chief had a personal motives which involved promoting Varoufakis's books as well as experimenting with his theories on the nation instead of truly advocating the country's financial survival.
He wrote how those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, the country came dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and the severe cutbacks required in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was equivalent to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, the punitive conditions were put to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into a deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was game over and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras asserts that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This retelling of history has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
