Former Prime Minister Tsipras Claims Yanis Varoufakis Proved ‘Inappropriate’ as Greek Treasury Chief Amid Financial Meltdown
Within his recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back as he examines the turbulent period of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
As per the ex-PM's account, he appointed the maverick academic Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily due to the latter's worldwide fame along with his “extremely attractive” abilities when it came to communicator.
“He was, actually, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims how his finance chief possessed a personal agenda which involved advancing his publications as well as experimenting with his theories on the nation rather than truly fighting for its economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the talks to avoid insolvency were “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's destiny and the severe austerity policies required in return for financial aid by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to find funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin reportedly informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move which plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against the cuts, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders which proved to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving creating a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised that it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and sensitive handling.”
He further wrote how his aggressive style left him increasingly isolated among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has been met with anger and shock among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
