Ex-PM Alexis Tsipras Asserts Varoufakis Was ‘Unfit’ as Greek Finance Minister During Debt Crisis
In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the former leader Alexis Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Choice
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras chose that maverick economist Varoufakis to be the finance minister largely due to his global profile along with Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.
“He was, in reality, more of a personality rather than an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader claims that Varoufakis had a personal agenda which included promoting his books and testing out his own economic models using Greece instead of truly fighting for the country's financial survival.
Tsipras noted that those negotiations to avoid insolvency were “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were a test, an historic chance to demonstrate the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.
At stake was not only Greece's future and those harsh cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Failed Options
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate appeal to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting the indebted country was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote and Reversal
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged the EU into further crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, Tsipras was forced but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that turned out to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan that included establishing a parallel currency as well as issuing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was game over and asked Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes that his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, and assisted hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has so far maintained a deafening silence regarding these claims.
