In a freshly published personal account, named Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras spares no criticism while he examines that chaotic period during Greece's economic turmoil.
A Controversial Choice
In Tsipras's version, Tsipras appointed that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis as his treasury head primarily because of his global profile and Varoufakis's very persuasive skills when it came to public orator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more like a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated Tsipras.
Clashing Agendas
The former leader alleges that his finance chief possessed his own motives which involved advancing Varoufakis's books and experimenting with his own game theories using the nation rather than truly fighting for its economic stability.
He noted that the discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, an historic opportunity to demonstrate the validity of his ideas.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
Amid tense negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay both Greece's destiny and those punishing austerity policies demanded in exchange for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to secure funds from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping the indebted country would be equivalent to throwing money in the trash-can, Putin reportedly told his Greek counterpart during their meeting.
Referendum and U-Turn
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that plunged Europe into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced but to reject its outcome then negotiate a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
Tsipras claimed how he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who drew media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”
When Varoufakis proposed a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was game over questioning him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author asserts that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”
He also claimed that Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were advocating Grexit.
This account of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, whereas the former minister has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
