Within his recently unveiled autobiography, named Ithaki, the former leader Tsipras spares no criticism as he reflects on the turbulent era of Greece's financial crisis.
A Controversial Appointment
As per the ex-PM's version, he appointed the maverick economist Yanis Varoufakis as the treasury head largely because of the latter's global profile along with his very persuasive abilities as a communicator.
“In reality, he was, actually, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” stated the 51-year-old.
Conflicting Priorities
Tsipras alleges that his finance chief had a personal motives which included promoting Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own game theories using Greece instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.
He noted how those negotiations to prevent insolvency were “not just a way of achieving a better deal for the country. They became an experiment, a monumental chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's ideas.”
Critical Talks
During rollercoaster negotiations, the country found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.
On the line lay not only the country's destiny and those severe cutbacks demanded in exchange for rescue loans from international creditors.
Failed Alternatives
Efforts to find funds from other sources, including a desperate appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, were rejected.
Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.
Referendum and U-Turn
That summer, the excoriating conditions were subjected to a popular referendum, an action that threw the EU into a deeper crisis of identity.
Even though the referendum was won decisively by voters against the cuts, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be more severe.
Breaking Point
Tsipras revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis quite early on.
“He was the public image of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who graced the front pages of magazines globally … it seemed he relished his new role.”
After Varoufakis proposed a backup strategy involving establishing a secondary currency as well as distributing vouchers to retirees, the leader said he realised it was the end and asked him: “Can you be serious?”
Lasting Rebuke
Within the memoir, the author asserts that his former ally had proved himself “unfit for an agreement that required intricate and sensitive management.”
Tsipras further wrote that his aggressive approach made him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hardliners who were advocating Grexit.
The retelling of events has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.
