Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras pulls no punches as he revisits the turbulent era of Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
According to Tsipras's recollections, he chose that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his finance minister mainly because of the latter's international reputation along with Varoufakis's highly compelling skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a star rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own motives that included promoting his books as well as experimenting with his game theories using Greece instead of truly advocating its economic stability.
Tsipras noted that the negotiations to prevent bankruptcy were “not just a way to secure a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the validity of Varoufakis's ideas.”
High-Stakes Talks
During rollercoaster discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay both the country's future but also the punishing austerity measures required in return for rescue loans from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece was equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, the Russian leader is reputed to have informed his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Public Vote and U-Turn
That summer, those excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, a move that plunged the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option but to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors which proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“He was the face of the talks, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the front pages of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying the spotlight.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader knew that it was game over questioning him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Criticism
Within the memoir, Tsipras concludes how Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational style made him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This retelling of history has been met with fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
