Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Claims Yanis Varoufakis Was ‘Unfit’ as Greece's Treasury Chief During Financial Meltdown
In a freshly published personal account, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines the chaotic period of Greece's financial crisis.
An Unconventional Choice
According to the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras chose that unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister primarily due to his international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities when it came to communicator.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed a personal motives that involved promoting his books as well as experimenting with his theories using Greece rather than truly fighting for its economic stability.
He explained that those discussions to stave off bankruptcy became “not just a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They became an experiment, a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During tense discussions, the country came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
On the line was not only the country's destiny but also those severe austerity measures demanded in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Attempts to find financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the harsh bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw the EU into a further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was won decisively by voters who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result then negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the man who drew publicity, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
After Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, the author concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
He also claimed how his confrontational style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were pushing for Grexit.
The retelling of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
