Within his newly released memoir, named Ithaki, the former prime minister Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits that chaotic era of Greece's debt drama.
A Controversial Choice
As per Tsipras's version, he appointed that maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister largely due to the latter's international reputation and his very persuasive abilities when it came to public orator.
“He was, truthfully, more like a celebrity rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras suggests that Varoufakis possessed a personal motives which included promoting his publications and testing out his own game theories on the nation rather than genuinely advocating its financial survival.
Tsipras noted how those talks to avoid insolvency became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid rollercoaster discussions, Greece came perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
On the line lay not only Greece's future and the punishing austerity policies demanded in exchange for rescue loans by international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find financing from other sources, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, those excoriating bailout terms were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by those against the cuts, Tsipras had little option to ignore the result and agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”
When the minister proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, Tsipras concludes that his former ally demonstrated himself to be “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and sensitive management.”
He further claimed that his aggressive style made him more and more alone among peers, put Greece at risk, while helped hardliners who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has been met with anger and stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
