Within his recently unveiled memoir, called Ithaki, the ex- prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines the chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Appointment
As per Tsipras's version, he selected that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head primarily because of his global profile along with his “extremely attractive” skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a celebrity and less of an economist,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis had a personal agenda which included promoting Varoufakis's books and testing out his game theories using Greece rather than genuinely advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras noted how those discussions to avoid insolvency became “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake was both the country's future and the punishing austerity measures demanded in return for rescue loans from foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Efforts to find funds elsewhere, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, the punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which plunged Europe into a deeper existential crisis.
Even though the referendum was carried resoundingly by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a bailout package with foreign lenders which proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy that included establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the book, the author asserts that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of events has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
