Within his newly released memoir, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Tsipras spares no criticism while he reflects on that chaotic era during Greece's economic turmoil.
An Unconventional Appointment
As per the ex-PM's account, Tsipras chose the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be the finance minister mainly due to his international reputation along with Varoufakis's very persuasive abilities as a communicator.
“He was, actually, more of a personality and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.
Clashing Priorities
Tsipras claims how Varoufakis had his own motives that involved promoting his books and experimenting with his own economic models using the nation instead of genuinely advocating the country's economic stability.
Tsipras wrote that those negotiations to prevent bankruptcy became “not just a method of achieving improved terms for the country. They were an experiment, an historic chance to prove the truth of his ideas.”
Critical Negotiations
During volatile negotiations, Greece came perilously close to leaving the single currency area.
On the line lay not only Greece's future but also those severe cutbacks demanded in return for financial aid from foreign lenders.
Failed Alternatives
Attempts to secure financing from other sources, including an urgent appeal to Russia to purchase Greek bonds, were rejected.
Helping the indebted country would be tantamount to throwing money into the garbage, the Russian leader reportedly informed his Greek counterpart in Moscow.
Referendum and Reversal
In July 2015, the punitive conditions were put to a popular referendum, a move which plunged Europe into deeper existential crisis.
Although the vote was won resoundingly by voters against austerity, the prime minister was forced to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with foreign lenders that proved to be even harsher.
Final Straw
The ex-PM revealed how he started questioning Varoufakis relatively soon.
“Varoufakis was the public image of the talks, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications the world over … it seemed he was enjoying his new role.”
When the minister outlined a contingency plan involving establishing a secondary currency and distributing vouchers to pensioners, Tsipras knew it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Is this for real?”
Lasting Criticism
In the memoir, the author concludes how Varoufakis demonstrated himself “unsuitable for a deal that required complex and delicate handling.”
He further claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive approach left him more and more alone with colleagues, endangered the country, while helped hawks that were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.
The account of history has provoked fury and shock among certain groups, whereas the former minister has so far kept a conspicuous quiet regarding these claims.
