Within his freshly published memoir, titled Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras does not hold back as he reflects on the chaotic period during Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Choice
In Tsipras's account, Tsipras selected the unorthodox economist Yanis Varoufakis to be his treasury head largely because of the latter's global profile along with his highly compelling skills when it came to speaker.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a star and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
Tsipras suggests that his finance chief possessed his own agenda which involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as testing out his own game theories using the nation rather than truly advocating the country's financial survival.
Tsipras wrote how the talks to prevent insolvency were “not only a way to secure a better deal for Greece. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the validity of his economic theories.”
High-Stakes Negotiations
During rollercoaster discussions, the country came perilously close to leaving the eurozone.
At stake lay not only the country's destiny and those harsh austerity policies required in return for financial aid from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, such as a desperate plea to Russia to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.
Helping Greece would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by Reversal
In July 2015, those punitive conditions were subjected to a public vote, a move that threw the EU into a further crisis of identity.
Although the vote was carried decisively by voters who opposed austerity, Tsipras had little option to reject its outcome then agree to a bailout package from foreign lenders which proved to be more severe.
Final Straw
The ex-PM claimed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the figure who drew media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … he gave the impression he was enjoying his new role.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a parallel currency as well as distributing coupons to pensioners, the leader knew that it was the end and asked him: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the book, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”
He also claimed how Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of events has provoked fury and stunned disbelief in some quarters, while Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
