Within his freshly published autobiography, titled Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras selected that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely because of his worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
The former leader claims how Varoufakis had a personal agenda that included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his own economic models using Greece rather than genuinely fighting for its financial survival.
He explained that the talks to avoid insolvency became “not just a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, a monumental opportunity to prove the validity of his theories.”
Critical Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, the country found itself dangerously on the brink of exiting the eurozone.
On the line lay both Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity policies required in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin reportedly informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating conditions were put to a public vote, a move that plunged the EU into a further existential crisis.
Although the vote was carried resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package with creditors that proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
Tsipras revealed how he began to doubt his finance minister quite early on.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a backup strategy that included creating a secondary currency and issuing coupons to retirees, Tsipras knew that it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate management.”
He further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style made him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of events has been met with anger along with shock among certain groups, while the former minister has so far maintained a conspicuous quiet on the matter.