Ex-PM Tsipras States Yanis Varoufakis Proved ‘Unfit’ for the role of Greek Finance Minister During Financial Meltdown
In a freshly published memoir, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism as he revisits the chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Choice
According to Tsipras's account, he selected the maverick economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to the latter's international reputation and his highly compelling abilities as a speaker.
“In reality, he was, in reality, more like a personality and less of an economist,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader claims that Varoufakis possessed his own agenda which included advancing Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
Tsipras explained that those negotiations to stave off bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of his theories.”
Critical Talks
Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only Greece's future and those harsh austerity policies required in return for bailout funds by foreign lenders.
Failed Options
Attempts to secure financing elsewhere, such as a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Assisting the indebted country was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
That summer, those punitive bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, an action which threw Europe into further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was carried decisively by voters against austerity, Tsipras was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a rescue deal from foreign lenders that turned out to be tougher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed how he began to doubt his finance minister relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of publications the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to retirees, Tsipras said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, the author concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He also wrote how his aggressive approach made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while assisted hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The retelling of history has provoked fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
