Ex-PM Tsipras Claims Varoufakis Proved ‘Unsuitable’ as Greek Treasury Chief During Debt Crisis
Within his newly released autobiography, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Appointment
As per the ex-PM's recollections, Tsipras selected that unorthodox academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of the latter's worldwide fame and his very persuasive abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” recalled the 51-year-old.
Clashing Agendas
Tsipras claims how his finance chief possessed his own agenda which involved promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own theories on the nation instead of truly advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras noted how the discussions to avoid insolvency became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They became a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of his theories.”
High-Stakes Talks
Amid tense discussions, Greece came dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake was both Greece's future but also those severe cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans by international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure funds elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, went unanswered.
Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a popular referendum, an action that threw the EU into a further existential crisis.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by voters against austerity, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the public image of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency as well as issuing coupons to retirees, the leader knew it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
In the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote how Varoufakis's confrontational style left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of events has provoked anger and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
