In a newly released personal account, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he revisits the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, Tsipras selected that maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister primarily due to the latter's global profile along with his very persuasive skills when it came to speaker.
“He was, truthfully, more of a star rather than an economist,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Agendas
The former leader suggests how his finance chief possessed his own motives that included promoting Varoufakis's publications and experimenting with his own game theories using the nation rather than genuinely fighting for its economic stability.
He explained that the talks to prevent bankruptcy became “not only a method of achieving a better deal for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to demonstrate the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Talks
Amid tense discussions, Greece came dangerously close to exiting the eurozone.
At stake was not only Greece's destiny but also those punishing cutbacks demanded in return for bailout funds from international creditors.
Unsuccessful Options
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to purchase Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Assisting Greece was tantamount to tossing cash into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.
Referendum Followed by U-Turn
In July 2015, the excoriating bailout terms were put to a public vote, an action which threw Europe into deeper crisis of identity.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, Tsipras had little option but to ignore the result and agree to a rescue deal with creditors which proved to be even harsher.
Breaking Point
The ex-PM claimed that he started questioning his finance minister quite early on.
“Varoufakis was the face of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the front pages of magazines the world over … it seemed he relished the spotlight.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a parallel currency and distributing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras knew that it was the end and asked him: “Are you serious?”
Enduring Rebuke
In the book, the author asserts how his former ally had proved himself “unfit for a deal that required intricate and sensitive handling.”
Tsipras also wrote that Varoufakis's aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, while assisted hawks that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.
This retelling of events has provoked anger along with shock in some quarters, whereas the former minister has so far maintained a deafening silence on the matter.
