Within his recently unveiled memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- premier Tsipras pulls no punches while he reflects on the chaotic era during Greece's debt drama.
An Unconventional Appointment
In the ex-PM's account, he selected the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily because of his worldwide fame along with his highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, truthfully, more of a celebrity rather than an economist,” wrote Tsipras.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras claims how his finance chief had his own agenda that included advancing his books as well as experimenting with his theories on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.
He noted that the discussions to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were a test, a monumental opportunity to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
Amid volatile discussions, Greece found itself perilously on the brink of leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only the country's destiny but also those severe austerity measures demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Alternatives
Efforts to secure financing from other sources, such as an urgent plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader is reputed to have told Tsipras during their meeting.
Public Vote Followed by Reversal
That summer, those harsh conditions were put to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by those who opposed the cuts, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a bailout package from creditors that proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
Tsipras claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy involving creating a parallel currency as well as distributing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised that it was the end and asked Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the book, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself to be “unfit for a deal demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He further wrote how Varoufakis's aggressive style left him more and more alone among peers, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for Grexit.
This account of history has provoked anger along with stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a deafening silence regarding these claims.
